The risks of contracting Hepatitis are relatively low in developed countries, and sometimes you may not need to get a shot for your travels. However, the risks increase substantially if you are travelling to non-urban locations in developing countries. The risks are even higher if your destination suffers from poor sanitation, since such areas tend to record a high prevalence of the disease.
There are three different types of hepatitis you should be aware of. They include:
- Hepatitis A – this variant is contracted through fecal-oral contact. In simple terms, one can get infected when they consume food or beverages contaminated by feces loaded by the virus. It can also be contracted through close contact with an infected person.
- Hepatitis B and C – both are spread through infected blood and contact. With hepatitis B, it is also possible to contract it by sharing body fluids. It means that one can get infected through sexual contact with a person who is already infected. The use of personal items such as razors, syringes, nail clippers, etc. may also lead to infection.
Persons infected with hepatitis A have a higher chance of recovering quickly, following prompt treatment – usually after a few weeks or months. This is not always the case for people infected with hepatitis B and C. Such infections tend to come with further complications, including liver cancer, cirrhosis, and sometimes death.
It is thus important to reduce the risk of infection while travelling, by going for the hepatitis vaccine. There are quite a number of travel clinics in Montreal where you can get the shot, so that you stay safe when traveling to high-risk areas.
It is also worth knowing how to stay safe while visiting high-risk areas, and here are some tips you can use:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water
- Avoid eating poorly cooked foods in places with poor sanitation
- Drink bottled water when in high risk areas
- Use condoms when having sex with people in high risk areas
For detailed information regarding hepatitis when traveling, be sure to call a travel clinic, located nearby.