Hepatitis A in Costa Rica: Awareness, Not Alarm

Simple steps we can take to care for ourselves and one another

Article and Art by Claudia

Health alerts can sound frightening, especially when they involve an illness spreading close to home. The good news is that hepatitis A is preventable, most people recover completely, and a few practical precautions can make a meaningful difference.

Costa Rica recorded 772 confirmed cases of hepatitis A through epidemiological week 32 of 2026, more than twice the total reported during all of 2025. Most cases have occurred in San José Province, while considerably fewer have been reported in Alajuela and other provinces. Health authorities continue to monitor the situation and investigate how the virus is spreading.[1]

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. Unlike hepatitis B and C, it does not normally become a chronic, lifelong infection. Almost everyone recovers fully, although recovery can take several weeks or occasionally several months.

The virus is generally spread when microscopic amounts of contaminated fecal matter enter someone's mouth. This can happen through contaminated food or water, hands that have not been washed thoroughly after using the bathroom or changing a diaper, or close contact with an infected person.

Ordinary casual contact, such as talking to someone or passing them on the street, does not spread hepatitis A. A person can also spread the virus before realizing that they are ill, which is why everyday hygiene matters even when everyone appears healthy.

Symptoms to watch for

Symptoms commonly appear two to four weeks after exposure, although the timing varies. They can include:

• Unusual fatigue

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

• Pain or discomfort in the abdomen

• Dark urine

• Pale or clay-colored stools

• Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, known as jaundice

Young children may have few or no noticeable symptoms, while adults and older people are more likely to feel ill. Anyone experiencing dark urine, pale stools, jaundice, persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, confusion, or signs of dehydration should seek medical attention promptly.

Where natural care fits

Many families in our community prefer to begin with natural and supportive approaches whenever possible. With hepatitis A, rest, nourishing food, and adequate fluids are genuinely important parts of recovery. Most people do recover with time and supportive care.

However, there is no tea, herb, cleanse, or supplement proven to remove the hepatitis A virus from the body. Because this illness directly affects the liver, some herbal products, supplements, and even familiar over-the-counter medicines may place additional stress on it.

The World Health Organization specifically recommends avoiding unnecessary medications that can affect the liver, including acetaminophen or paracetamol, unless a healthcare professional advises their use.[2]

Natural comfort measures and medical care do not have to be opposing choices. We can respect the body's ability to heal while also seeking testing, professional guidance, and timely preventive care when needed.

Prevention begins with simple habits

The most useful precautions are familiar ones:

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or helping a child with toileting, and before preparing or eating food.

• Use safe drinking water and wash produce carefully.

• Keep bathrooms and food-preparation areas clean.

• Do not prepare food for others when experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, or another suspected infectious illness.

• Avoid sharing items that may be contaminated.

• If your family uses vaccines, ask a healthcare professional whether the hepatitis A vaccine is appropriate for you.

Caring for the whole community

An outbreak is not a reason to blame people, families, food workers, or particular neighborhoods. Hepatitis A can spread before symptoms appear, and someone who becomes ill has not necessarily been careless.

Community health is built through small, considerate actions. By sharing accurate information without fear or judgment, we can protect our families while looking after our neighbors too.

This article provides general health information and is not a substitute for evaluation or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.

Notes

[1] El Observador, citing Costa Rica's Ministry of Health
[2] World Health Organization, Hepatitis A fact sheet: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-a