Hepatitis A Vaccine

ANTI-HEPATITIS A VACCINE

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an infection which is caused by the Hepatitis A virus, most frequently found in children, especially those who attend daycare. It is also frequent in young adults and people travelling in tropical countries.

Transmission occurs from person to person through direct contact with the feces of the infected person or indirect contact with water or food contaminated with such material. Eating molluscs (mussels, oysters, etc.) cooked in water which is contaminated by fecal material is a frequent source of infection in tropical areas. The incubation period varies from 15 to 50 days, with an average of 30 days.

Principal symptoms are: fever, fatigue, occasional jaundice, headache and loss of appetite. In young children this infection often passes unnoticed. Children in daycare can contract a latent and undetected infection which is then transmitted to their parents or to daycare employees. .

Prevention

1. The following hygenic measures are of primordial concern: Hand washing, disinfection of objects that have come into contact with feces, avoiding drinking water that is at risk for contamination.

2. A complete vaccination confers protective antibody levels in more than 90 % of healthy people for at least 5 years.
3. Immunoglobulins, derived from blood, are useful for only one immediate immunization of short duration, no more than 5 months.

Side effects following vaccination and procedure to follow

1. In the majority of the cases, the vaccine does not cause any reaction.

2. The vaccine can cause redness, swelling and sensitivity at the site of injection over a 48 hour period following vaccination. The application of a cold wet compress will reduce such symptoms.

3. On rare occasions the vaccine will cause fever, headaches, muscle and joint pains which then disappear spontaneously. It is advised to rest, drink plenty of fluids and and treat the fever (if oral temperature of 38,5C or more, rectal 39,0C or more) with acetaminophen.

4. There has hitherto been no documented severe allergic reaction associated with anti-hepatitis A vaccine.

5. In the case of a significant reaction following vaccination, consult a doctor and warn us. Always mention at the time of any scheduled booster shot any reaction which has occurred during the preceding vaccinnation.