👨❤️💋👨 Transmission
Hepatitis A is often transmitted through contaminated food, water or during sex.
🤒 Symptoms
Typical symptoms are nausea, diarrhoea and yellowing of the skin.
💉 Vaccination recommended
There is a vaccination that provides reliable protection - even when travelling.
🧑⚕️ Chances of recovery
The infection almost always heals itself, but be careful if you have a pre-existing condition!
What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver. Unlike hepatitis B or C, it does not become chronic, but usually heals completely. The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is quite robust and can survive outside the body for a long time, for example on surfaces, in food or in water. The risk of infection is particularly high in countries with poor hygiene. But the virus can also be transmitted during sex, especially during fisting or rimming.
Symptoms and course of the disease
The first signs usually appear two to six weeks after infection. Typical symptoms are
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain, loss of appetite
- Tiredness, fever
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine, light-coloured stool
Not everyone realises immediately that they have hepatitis A - sometimes the infection even remains without any symptoms. For most people, the disease heals itself after a few weeks. Only rarely are there complications, for example in older people or people with pre-existing conditions.
Infection & transmission routes
The virus is mainly absorbed through the mouth - for example through:
- Contaminated food or water (especially when travelling)
- Contact with faeces - for example when rimming or fisting
- Sharing sex toys that have not been cleaned
Typical transmission routes are smear infections and the ingestion of tiny stool residues. This can happen quickly during sex - for example when the mouth and anal area come into contact. Condoms only provide limited protection here; good hygiene and safer sex practices are therefore particularly important.
Hepatitis A vaccination: protection, duration & booster
Vaccination against hepatitis A is the best protection - and is particularly recommended when travelling to risk areas. It consists of two injections at intervals of six to twelve months.
Important facts about vaccination:
- Protection begins approximately two weeks after the first injection.
- After the second injection, the protection lasts for at least 20 years, often even for life.
- A booster vaccination is not normally necessary unless you belong to a risk group.
- Side effects of the vaccination are rare and mostly harmless (redness, slight pain at the injection site).
Costs:
Health insurance often covers the vaccination if you are travelling to a risk area for business or pleasure. Just ask!
Treatment & Therapy
There is no special treatment for hepatitis A - the virus disappears by itself. It is important that you take it easy, drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol so that the liver does not become even more stressed. Medication against the symptoms (e.g. against nausea) can help.
Tip:
If you have hepatitis A, you should not infect others - so refrain from sex until the infection is over and pay particular attention to hygiene.
Travel hepatitis: risk and prevention
The risk of hepatitis A is particularly high when travelling to countries with poor hygiene. So-called „travel hepatitis“ is a classic among backpackers, party holidaymakers and adventurers.
How to protect yourself:
- Wash your hands - especially after using the loo and before eating
- Get vaccinated before travelling!
- Only drink boiled or packaged water
- No raw or unwashed food
Frequently asked questions about hepatitis A (FAQ)
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about hepatitis A - for example about infection, vaccination, symptoms and treatment. The information will help you to better assess your risk and protect yourself.
The hepatitis A vaccination protects you for at least 20 years after two injections at intervals of six to twelve months. Many experts even assume that the protection lasts a lifetime. This means that once you have completed the basic immunisation, you generally don't have to worry about it anymore. Only in exceptional cases, for example if you have certain pre-existing conditions or if you travel a lot and are unsure, a booster may be advisable. It is best to talk to your doctor about this.
Yes, this is possible - especially during practices where you come into contact with your bottom or faeces, such as rimming (anilingus), fisting or when sex toys are used together and without cleaning. The virus is absorbed through the mouth, so sometimes a little contact with contaminated fingers, toys or mucous membranes is enough. Condoms only provide limited protection because they do not cover all transmission routes. Hygiene and safer sex are therefore very important!
Yes, hepatitis A is curable in almost all cases and usually runs an uncomplicated course. The virus disappears from the body on its own after a few weeks and the liver recovers. There is no specific treatment, but you should take it easy, avoid alcohol and listen to your body. Complications are rare, for example in people with pre-existing conditions or a weakened immune system. After infection, you are immune to hepatitis A for life.
The cost of the hepatitis A vaccination is usually between 40 and 80 euros per injection, depending on the doctor's practice and region. You need two injections for complete basic immunisation. Many health insurance companies will cover the costs if you are travelling to a country where hepatitis A is common or if you belong to a risk group. It is best to ask your health insurance provider or doctor in advance whether the vaccination is free of charge for you.
For most people, basic immunisation with two injections is sufficient. The protection lasts for at least 20 years, often even for life. A booster immunisation is not normally necessary. However, if you belong to a particular risk group (for example, if you have certain pre-existing conditions, are immunocompromised or if you travel a lot for work), a booster may be advisable. Your doctor can tell you whether this is recommended for you.
