If you are travelling to certain parts of the world, your risk of catching hepatitis A can increase significantly, especially if food and water hygiene standards differ from those in the UK. At Sudbury Court Pharmacy, we offer private travel vaccines in London to help protect you from this and other travel-related illnesses. The hepatitis A vaccine is one of the most important steps you can take to stay healthy on your trip.

How Hepatitis A Spreads Through Food and Water

Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection that spreads primarily through eating or drinking something contaminated with the virus. In many countries, untreated water and inadequate sanitation systems can allow hepatitis A to circulate more easily. The virus can be present in drinking water, ice, and food that has been washed or prepared using contaminated water.

Even in urban or developed areas, hepatitis A can still be a risk if food handling practices are poor or hygiene controls are not consistently followed. Because symptoms may not appear until weeks after exposure, you could be infected and unaware until well into your trip or after you return home.

High-Risk Foods and Drinks Abroad

When travelling to high-risk areas, some foods and drinks are more likely to carry hepatitis A. These include:

• Raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters and clams

• Fresh salads or uncooked vegetables washed in local water

• Fruit that has been peeled by someone else or washed in unsafe water

• Street food where hygiene is uncertain

• Ice cubes or drinks made with untreated water

Avoiding these can reduce your risk, but it is not always possible to guarantee the safety of everything you eat or drink. This is why the hepatitis A vaccine is strongly recommended for travel to many parts of the world, including regions of Asia, Africa, Central America, and South America.

Other Ways You Can Contract Hepatitis A

Although food and water are the most common transmission routes, hepatitis A can also spread through direct contact with an infected person. This can happen in households, during close personal contact, or in environments where hygiene facilities are inadequate.

The virus can survive outside the body for long periods, which means contaminated surfaces and shared items can also be a source of infection. Travellers working in healthcare, humanitarian aid, or childcare abroad may be at increased risk due to close contact with others.

How the Vaccine Protects You

The hepatitis A vaccine is a safe and highly effective way to protect yourself from the virus. It works by stimulating your immune system to produce antibodies that fight hepatitis A, providing protection before you encounter the virus.

You will need a single injection for short-term protection, which is effective within a couple of weeks. For long-term protection of up to 25 years, a booster dose is recommended 6 to 12 months after the first. Many travellers choose to get the combined hepatitis A and typhoid vaccine or the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine if they are visiting multiple countries where several diseases are a concern.

At Sudbury Court Pharmacy’s travel clinic in London, we can review your itinerary and medical history to recommend the best vaccine schedule for you.

Other Hygiene Measures to Follow

While the hepatitis A vaccine is your strongest defence, it should be combined with good hygiene practices abroad to minimise the risk of other illnesses:

• Drink bottled water from sealed containers or water you have purified yourself.

• Avoid ice in drinks unless you are certain it has been made from safe water.

• Peel fruit yourself and choose cooked foods served hot.

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially before eating.

• Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitiser for situations where soap is not available.

These habits not only reduce your risk of hepatitis A but also help prevent other food and waterborne illnesses like travellers’ diarrhoea and cholera.

When to Book Your Appointment

Ideally, you should book your hepatitis A vaccine at least two to three weeks before you travel, as it takes time for your body to develop immunity. If you are travelling last minute, you should still get vaccinated, as even partial protection is better than none.

Booking early also allows time for other recommended travel vaccines, which may require multiple doses. Our private travel vaccines in London service makes it easy to get all your vaccines in one place, with flexible appointments and expert travel health advice tailored to your plans.

At Sudbury Court Pharmacy, we believe protecting your health is the first step to enjoying your travels. If you are heading to a country where hepatitis A is a risk, contact us to arrange your vaccination and travel health consultation. With the right precautions, you can explore the world with confidence and peace of mind.

This blog was written on behalf of Sudbury Court Pharmacy and Travel Clinic by Pharmacy Mentor.