World Hepatitis Day, marked on 28 July, is a reminder that viral hepatitis can affect travellers as well as communities worldwide.
Before travelling, it is worth thinking about the main travel-related forms of viral hepatitis: A, B, C and E.
Hepatitis A and E can be spread through contaminated food and water. You can reduce your risk by taking care with food, water and personal hygiene, particularly in areas where sanitation may be poorer. Hepatitis A is also vaccine preventable, and vaccination may be recommended for some destinations.
Hepatitis B is spread through contact with infected blood or body fluids. Travellers can reduce their risk by avoiding unprotected sex, tattoos, piercings, acupuncture or medical/dental treatment unless sterile equipment is used. Hepatitis B is vaccine preventable.
There is currently no travel vaccine for hepatitis C, which is mainly spread through blood-to-blood contact, so avoiding exposure to blood and non-sterile equipment remains important.
Check your destination advice and vaccine needs well before you travel:
