Hepatitis A Information
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Background Information for Hepatitis A
The Hepatitis A Vaccine
Who Should Get the Hepatitis A Vaccine?
Who Should Not Get the Hepatitis A Vaccine?
Background Information for Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver that is caused by a virus (the
hepatitis A virus). This is a different disease than hepatitis B.
Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and water. There is an average of 27,000 cases annually in the United States, not uncommonly clustered in epidemics. This disease is much more common in many parts of the world, and is a particular concern for travelers to developing nations.
Hepatitis A strikes with a sudden onset of fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). It usually makes the poor victim quite ill, and kills approximately 3 out every 1000 it attacks.
Unlike hepatitis B, hepatitis A does not cause any chronic or long term problems.
The Hepatitis A Vaccine
The hepatitis A vaccine contains an inactivated whole virus. This
means it is not capable of actually causing the disease. It is an
extremely effective vaccine, with a greater than 95% protection rate. It
is a series of two injections given 6-12 months apart.
It is also an extremely safe vaccine. Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site occurs in 20%-50% of recipients. These symptoms are generally mild and self-limited. Fewer than 10% of injections may result in mild systemic complaints (e.g. fatigue, low-grade fever). Severe systemic side-effects have not been reported.
In addition to being given by itself, the Hepatitis A vaccine is sometimes combined with Hepatitis B (Twinrex).
Center for Disease Control Vaccine Information Statement
Who Should Receive the Hepatitis A Vaccine?
The following list of people should strongly consider the hepatitis A
vaccine:
- Travelers to high or intermediate risk countries
- Men who have sex with men
- Drug users
- Persons with chronic liver disease (e.g. Hepatitis B or C)
- Persons with occupational risk
Who Should Not Receive the Hepatitis A
Vaccine?
The hepatitis A vaccine is exceedingly safe. Only those who have a history
of a serious allergic reaction to a prior dose of the vaccine,
pre-existing liver disease, hypersensitivity to alum or, the preservative
2-phnoxyethanol should avoid this immunization.
Those who have a moderate to severe illness should postpone the vaccine until they have improved.
While it is probably safe for a developing fetus, it is wise for pregnant women to postpone taking the vaccine.
Last Modified 02/06/2007