STDs : European Hepatitis A Outbreaks to Soar Higher this Pride Month

Protect yourself from hepatitis A virus (HAV) and get yourself vaccinated, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reminded the public amidst growing concerns over the increasing number of hepatitis A cases in Europe.

Since June 2016, there have been a total of 1, 173 confirmed hepatitis A cases across 15 European Union countries specifically Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The most hit are Spain and Italy, and it mostly affected unvaccinated men who have sex with men (MSM), ECDC reports.

ECDC fears the hepatitis A (HAV) outbreaks across Europe are “rapidly spreading,” adding that the number of confirmed cases is not timely and accurate because of reporting delay.

What is Hepatitis A?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hepatitis A is a “viral liver disease that can cause mild to severe illness” and in rare case, death. Such is the case of San Diego where four people had recently died due to hepatitis A outbreak.

WHO said HAV can be contracted through food and water contaminated with the feces of an infected person and sexual/close physical contact with an infectious person. Also considered high risks are injecting-drug users and people “travelling to areas of high endemicity.” This is why ECDC is also reminding everyone to stay safe and healthy during Pride season especially those bound for LGBT WorldPride in Madrid which has an estimated crowd of three million. WHO revealed that a festival of this magnitude makes the risk of sexual transmission from moderate to high.

The WorldPride Madrid 2017 festival is scheduled on 23 June to 2 July 2017 in Spain.

Symptoms

NHS explained that hepatitis A symptoms typically manifest around four weeks after infection. You may experience fever, joint and muscle pain, feel sick and tired, loss of appetite, itchy skin, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine and pale stools, and pain in the upper-right part of your stomach.

Prevention

Apart from vaccination, educating the public about hepatitis A, safer sex practice, and proper hygiene practices are some of the keys to preventing hepatitis A incidence. Proper hand-washing must be observed before preparing and handling food as well as after bathroom use is also a must.

Before having sex, it is imperative to wash especially your hands, bum, and genitals with safe water. On the other hand use of condom, dental dams for oral-anal sex, and latex gloves during fingering or fisting is advised.

Click here, here, and here for more information about hepatitis A. To know more about the vaccine, click here.

Apart from the European Region, WHO said that prevalence of hepatitis A was also reported in Chile with 706 cases as of May 5, 2017 and in the USA particularly in New York. To get tested in the USA, click here!

Keep safe and stay healthy this Pride Month, everyone!