Hepatitis A is spreading and will continue for some time. Prevention is very easy
The infection is spreading across the republic. Hepatitis A, infectious jaundice or also the disease of dirty hands, is primarily spreading in Prague. According to data from abroad, the disease is also spreading at an increased rate in other countries, not only in Europe.
According to data from the State Health Institute, the worst situation (from the beginning of the year to the end of March) is in four regions:
Prague - 43 cases
Central Bohemian Region - 63 cases
Moravian-Silesian Region - 70 cases
Olomouc Region - 44 cases
The best situation is in the Ústí nad Labem and the South Moravian Region with handful cases, said Štěpánka Čechová, spokesperson for SZÚ, adding that they monitor and evaluate the situation every month. The increase is visible.
Last year, 636 cases were reported, and for the first quarter of this year, 320 cases.
Waves of Hepatitis A are not exceptional
Nothing out of the ordinary. Waves of increased incidence have appeared in the past, for example at the end of the 90s, in the years 2008-2010 and 2016-2017. By the end of the 90s, an increased incidence in the age groups 15–19 years and 20–24 years had also been recorded, which is a higher average age than usual. This was mainly due to the increasing proportion of adolescents and young adults with risky behavior, mainly drug users.
Where is the infection spreading from?
It would be mistaken to think that this is just a local issue. Cases of infection are rising not only within Europe, but all over the world. The following summer could therefore be very risky.
"320 cases in the first quarter of this year shows that the trend of rapidly increasing cases from last year has not stopped. With the upcoming period of more frequent travel, for example for recreation, the hotspots of infection will lead to an increased risk of further spread of the infection."
MUDr. Renata Ciupek from the Regional Public Health Authority of South Moravia provides this information. This is related to the need for either vaccination, as well as increased caution and adherence to basic hygiene habits when travelling in summer. And also abroad.
The basic rule is:
"Boil, bake, peel, or leave it."
Even in risk areas, it is not recommended to use water for cleaning teeth and drinking, as it may be contaminated. Use bottled water.
Always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
Eat seafood in risky areas only if you are vaccinated against hepatitis A.
How to protect yourself in the Czech Republic?
Infections are rising worldwide, there is no clear initial hotspot. The increased occurrence is rather local, so the risk of getting infected, for example in a shop from basket handles, is relatively low, unless you are specifically in a location where this infection is acutely present. The risk is higher in public transport, where at this moment the city is ensuring prevention by disinfecting individual vehicles.
A sick person excretes viruses through feces, so the riskiest forms of transmission are:
- On public toilets
- By sharing sanitation facilities with a sick person in the household
- In schools, socially excluded communities, homeless communities, dormitories
There is a lesser risk of infection through ice cubes, contaminated water. This is more relevant for foreign destinations, but also in our locations with confirmed infections.
If you come from public transport or shopping, wash your hands thoroughly with soap. Before, during and after staying in a risky environment, you can also reduce the risk of infection by using hand sanitizing gels.
What about vaccination?
Vaccination, which we often undergo in childhood, protects long-term. It is recommended especially if you are in a risky area (either here or abroad), or if you have had liver disease. Hepatitis A vaccination is not covered by health insurance, you can arrange it as self-payers.
How is jaundice manifested?
Initially, it may be about flu symptoms, stomach aches and under the right rib, later the sclera and skin turn yellow, urine darkens and stool has a light color. Skin itching is a symptom at this stage.
The incubation period is up to 50 days. The infected person is capable of transmitting the disease a week or two after infection, when they still don't know about their disease for about two more weeks. A complication can also be a part of the sick, who undergo the disease without symptoms.
After undergoing the disease, a person is lifelong immune to this type of hepatitis, but it is possible that they may develop a predisposition of their liver to other possible chronic diseases.
Source: author's text, SZÚ, nzip.cz, own questioning
