First comes weakness. It devastatingly devastates the liver. The number of infections increases

• Until 1978, Poland was a country with high endemicity (an average of 50-58 thousand cases per year). In the following years, the epidemiological situation gradually improved, and since 1997, Poland has been a country with low endemicity.
• According to available statistical data, developed by NIZP-PZH PIB, 116 cases of the disease were recorded in Poland by the end of February 2025. In the whole of 2024, a total of 319 cases were registered, and in 2023 - 209
• Hepatitis A, commonly known as "hepatitis A", is a disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV) from the Picornaviridae family. Any person who is not immune can become infected.
• Due to the more severe course in adults, hepatitis A is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic liver disease.

Hepatitis A (HBV), commonly known as "hepatitis A", is a disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV) from the Picornaviridae family. Any person who is not immune may become infected.

The clinical course of viral hepatitis A depends largely on the age of the patient, because the severity of the disease increases with age . Infections in children are usually asymptomatic or have few symptoms, while adults are usually fully ill.

Due to its more severe course in adults, hepatitis A is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly and those with chronic liver disease. In the latter cases, the disease can take a fulminant form, characterized by a serious course and even high mortality . After hepatitis A, chronic inflammation, cirrhosis and primary liver cancer are not observed.

The disease (especially in adults) is characterized by a sudden onset and pronounced symptoms, such as:

• flu-like symptoms (in the first period),
• digestive symptoms: belching, heartburn, nausea, flatulence, feeling of early satiety,
• dark urine, pale stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes, mucous membranes).

Treatment for hepatitis A is only symptomatic . Hepatitis A does not progress to chronic hepatitis, but it may take several months (usually up to 2 months, sometimes up to half a year) for the patient to return to full activity, and a patient with symptoms usually requires diagnostics in a hospital setting.

Until 1978, Poland was a country of high endemicity (an average of 50-58 thousand cases per year). In the following years, the epidemiological situation gradually improved, and since 1997, Poland has been a country of low endemicity.

According to available statistical data, developed by NIZP-PZH PIB, 116 cases of the disease were recorded in Poland by the end of February 2025. In the whole of 2024, a total of 319 cases were registered and in 2023 – 209 .

HAV infection causes 1.4 million cases of acute hepatitis A worldwide each year . The disease is endemic worldwide, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene.

Humans are the only reservoir of the HAV virus, which is transmitted mainly through the alimentary canal, as well as through fecal-oral infections (so-called dirty hands disease).

Hepatitis A infection can occur through:

• direct contact with an infected person (e.g. transmission of the virus through unwashed hands after using the toilet),
• sexual contact, especially anal, with an infected or sick person,
• by consuming contaminated food (e.g. unwashed fruits and vegetables, seafood, products not properly processed) and contaminated water.

To prevent foodborne illnesses, including hepatitis A, you should always follow the so-called 5 steps to safe food (WHO recommendations):

• Keep it clean.
• Separate raw and cooked foods.
• Cook thoroughly.
• Keep food at the right temperature.
• Use safe water and food.

The best way to prevent hepatitis A is through vaccination . Immunity after vaccination is long-lasting (approx. 20 years). The effectiveness of vaccination against hepatitis A is high and applies to both pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis.

More information can be found on the website of the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate .

Copyrighted material - reprint rules are specified in the regulations .