RECENT messages about Hepatitis A have been circulating on social media, prompting the Ministry of Health’s Public Health Department to issue a preventive advisory. The public is urged to take necessary precautions to prevent infection.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious virus that affects the liver and spreads through contaminated food, water, or direct contact with an infected person. It can cause outbreaks and affect people of all ages, particularly children. If left unchecked, it could lead to widespread infections, making prevention a shared responsibility among the government, organizations, and the public.

The virus has an incubation period of two to six weeks, with symptoms appearing around 28 days after infection. Hepatitis A is one of several hepatitis viruses, alongside B, C, and D, all of which impact the liver differently. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of ap­petite, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, pale stools, and joint pain. Severe cases may lead to acute liver failure, par­ticularly in individuals with pre-existing conditions like Hepatitis B, C, or HIV. Chil­dren often show no symp­toms, while younger adults may experience mild or un­detectable signs.

In Myanmar, Hepatitis A spreads due to limited access to clean water, poor sanitation, and contaminat­ed food – challenges com­mon in developing countries. To reduce infection risk, the public is advised to main­tain strict hygiene practic­es. Hands should be washed with soap before handling food, cooking, eating, and after using the toilet. Only boiled, purified, or FDA-ap­proved bottled water should be consumed. Raw or street food should be avoided, as they may be contaminated.

If symptoms such as fever or jaundice appear, individuals should seek im­mediate medical attention at a healthcare facility. Prac­tising good hygiene and adhering to preventive measures are keys to stopping the spread of Hepatitis A and protecting public health. In this regard, careless actions of patients and associates will cause failure to recover from the disease.

Proper waste disposal and sanitation are essential to pre­venting contamination. Food vendors experiencing symptoms, especially jaundice should stop handling food for at least ten days to prevent spreading the virus. People must also exer­cise caution when eating outside their homes. As health staff members are ready at relevant clinics and hospitals at different levels, people need to inform them about Hepatitis A in time for whoever suffers from it to get proper medical treatment without fail. If so, they will overcome the challenges of this disease.