Hepatitis A in Costa Rica
Key points
- There is an outbreak of hepatitis A (HAV) in Costa Rica. Most cases have been reported in San José province (see map).
- HAV is contagious and spreads through close person-to-person contact and by eating contaminated food or drink
- To prevent hepatitis A, you should:
- Ensure that you are vaccinated against hepatitis A. If you cannot get vaccinated, your doctor may recommend a medicine called immune globulin which can provide protection for up to 2 months.
- Practice good hand hygiene by thoroughly washing hands before preparing or eating food and after activities such as using the bathroom, caring for someone with an infection, and changing diapers.
- Avoid sharing needles, syringes, or other drug equipment.
- Practice safe sex.
- Seek medical care if you develop dark urine or clay-colored stools, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, or jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) during or after travel.
- If you think you have been exposed to HAV and haven't previously received hepatitis A vaccine, talk to your doctor about a prevention measure called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP should be administered as soon as possible within 2 weeks of exposure to HAV.
Traveler Information
Clinician Information
- Clinical Overview of Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis A in the CDC Yellow Book (Health Information for International Travel)
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is spread when someone ingests the virus, even in small amounts. This usually occurs through close personal contact with an infected person (e.g., using drugs, caring for, or having certain sexual contact with someone who is infected with HAV) or by consuming contaminated food or water.
Symptoms may include dark urine or clay-colored stools, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, or jaundice (yellow skin or whites of the eyes). Some people, particularly young children, may not have symptoms.
Symptoms generally begin 2-4 weeks after initial exposure (range 15–50 days) and typically resolve within 2 months, though some people can feel sick for up to 6 months.
People with a weakened immune system, chronic liver disease, and people over the age of 60 years are at greater risk for severe disease.
There is no specific treatment for HAV; most people recover fully with rest and fluids.