How can hepatitis A be prevented?
In the event of exposure to hepatitis A, consult a doctor or the local health department. To prevent person-to-person spread, careful hand washing after using the bathroom, changing diapers and before preparing or eating food, is the single most important means of prevention. Close contacts who do not have immunity to hepatitis A virus should be administered immune globulin (IG) or hepatitis A vaccine within 2 weeks of exposure to a person who is contagious with hepatitis A infection. Close contacts include: • Household contacts • Sexual contacts • Playmates • Attendees at childcare centers • Persons sharing illegal drugs • Persons sharing food or beverages • Persons in common-source exposure situations (i.e.
