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Hepatitis A, also known as jaundice, is an inflammation of the liver and is caused by infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The pathogens are ingested through the mouth and excreted by the patient in the stool.
The majority of the diseases are acquired when traveling to warm countries (Mediterranean countries, tropics and subtropics) where the standard of hygiene is low and the disease is therefore more common.
Complaints
Often without symptoms in small children, otherwise nausea, abdominal pain, fever, later vomiting and diarrhea, dark urine, light stools and yellowing of the eyes (whites of the eyes) and possibly the skin, itching.
Adults usually become more severely ill. Depending on age and previous illness, (a few) deaths can occur. An infection can be detected by examining stool or blood.
The disease always heals completely and leaves lifelong immunity.
Incubation and infection
The time between infection with the pathogen and the outbreak of the disease is two to seven weeks. Infection is possible ten to 14 days before to ten to 14 days after the onset of the disease. Children can fall ill undetected and still infect other people.
Infection occurs via
food and drink containing the pathogen, especially if food is consumed that has not been heated or has been heated too briefly - in particular seafood or vegetables, fruit or salad fertilized with faeces - tap water, bath water and ice cubes, as well as
objects touched by the sick person or direct contact via the hands of the sick person that have not been disinfected.
Contact persons and re-admission
Family members who attend a communal facility or work in the food sector require a medical certificate. One week after the onset of jaundice, sick persons may attend communal facilities such as schools and Kita again. A doctor's certificate is not required. The public health department sets exclusion periods.
Obligation to report according to § 34 Infection Protection Act
The parents or legal guardians of the affected children are obliged to report any case of illness to the community facility immediately. The community facility will inform the public health department immediately.
Close contacts (siblings, parents, caregivers, friends and playmates) should be examined by their doctor immediately, bring their vaccination card with them and be vaccinated if they are not immune. If the contact person is vaccinated up to ten days after the first signs of illness appear in the sick person, it is usually possible to avoid passing on the infection. There are active and passive (immunoglobulin) vaccines. Nowadays, the active vaccine is preferred because it provides long-term protection and is well tolerated. It can be given at the same time as other vaccinations and is also available in combination preparations (with hepatitis B or typhoid).
2. hygiene
It is also important that patients and contact persons wash their hands thoroughly after each visit to the toilet and before preparing meals, dry them with disposable towels and then disinfect them. The toilet (toilet seat) and all fittings touched when using the toilet must be disinfected. Hand and surface disinfectants must be effective against viruses . Underwear, towels and bed linen should be washed at 90°C.
Provisions of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG) for communal facilities and the food sector
Regulations for caregivers, children and young people in communal facilities and for people who work in food areas:
People who are ill and their close contacts (people in the same household, closest playmates or kindergarten children in the same group) areprohibited from visiting or working in communal facilities (Section 34 (3) IfSG). According to Section 42 IfSG, close contacts, e.g. parents who work in the food sector, are not allowed to enter kitchens, produce or sell food until they are free of infection.
All notifications are sent to the responsible health authority, which will initiate the necessary measures. The duration of the exclusion of the above-mentioned persons is determined by the responsible health authority. Persons who have received a lockdown vaccination may re-enter the communal facilities or kitchen after consultation with the public health department. Persons who have previously been sufficiently vaccinated or have had the disease themselves (proof required!) can continue to visit the communal facilities or work in the kitchen without hesitation.
Before traveling abroad to southern countries, your public health department will be happy to advise you on precautionary vaccinations for the respective travel countries by calling 0228 - 77 37 87 and will also be happy to answer questions from contact persons and sick people by calling 0228 - 77 37 64.