Hepatitis A is a virus that spreads through contaminated food and water. It infects the liver and causes jaundice, nausea, and weeks of fatigue. Before vaccines, outbreaks were common, especially in areas with limited sanitation. Two doses of the vaccine provide long-lasting protection. Since routine vaccination began in U.S. children, reported cases have dropped by more than 90 percent. For travelers, vaccination offers reliable protection in places where the virus is still widespread.

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