Hepatitis A is an infectious disease of the liver caused by a virus that spreads via food and drink contaminated with faeces. Infection may originate from improperly cooked food, contaminated drinking water and ice cubes. Besides yellowing eyes and skin, the symptoms include fever, lack of appetite, nausea and stomach pain, occasionally hepatic failure that can be even life-threatening. The disease is often asymptomatic in small children. The disease usually passes in 2–4 weeks, but fatigue may remain for months after the infection has subsided. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended based on a country-specific risk of infection, with high risk areas including especially Africa, Asia, and Middle and South America. The vaccine is included for risk groups in the National Vaccination Programme.

• Lääkeinfo.fi: Havrix (in Finnish)
• Lääkeinfo.fi: Twinrix for adults and children (combination vaccine for hepatitis A and B) (in Finnish)
• THL, Infectious diseases: Hepatitis A (in Finnish)
• THL, Traveller’s Health Guide: Hepatitis A (in Finnish)
• THL, Immunisation: Hepatitis A vaccine
• WHO, Fact sheet: Hepatitis A