Protect Yourself From Hepatitis A When Traveling

Topic Overview

Immunization against the hepatitis A virus (HAV) is recommended for anyone traveling to any country or area except:^{footnote 1}

• Australia.
• Canada.
• Japan.
• New Zealand.
• The United States.
• Western Europe and the Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, and Finland).

Talk to your doctor before visiting any other areas.

If you plan to travel to a part of the world where sanitation is poor or where hepatitis A is a known problem, see your doctor about receiving the hepatitis A vaccine or the combination hepatitis A and B vaccine. (Risk of hepatitis B increases if you go to a high-risk country frequently or stay for a long time.)

When traveling in an area where hepatitis A is a known problem or where water quality is questionable:

• Boil water before you drink it. Bring the water to a rolling boil for 1 minute. If you are at an elevation of 6562 ft (2000 m) or higher, boil the water for 3 minutes. Do not drink tap water or well water or beverages containing ice cubes.
• Do not brush your teeth with tap water or well water.
• Make sure all foods are cooked well, especially shellfish.
• Eat only raw fruits and vegetables that you have washed in uncontaminated water and peeled yourself.
• Don't swim in water that has not been treated with chlorine.
• Don't drink bath or shower water.