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Hepatitis A is another virus that can cause liver disease, and sometimes death (about 100 deaths each year in the US). A person that is infected with Hepatitis A has the virus in his stool and can easily infected others if he doesn't practice good hand washing techniques.
The virus is usually spread when someone eats or drinks contaminated food or water that was prepared by someone with a Hepatitis A infection, usually a household contact or in child care centers. It can also be spread through IV drug use and sexual contact. About 180,000 people in the United States get infected with the Hepatitis A virus each year, and a third of these cases are in children under 15.
The most common symptoms of an infection with Hepatitis A are fever, abdominal pain, dark urine, jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes), nausea and decreased appetite and activity level. These symptoms usually last a few weeks, but can last up to six months. Younger children may have an infection without any symptoms, or if they do have symptoms, they usually do not have jaundice, but they can still be contagious to others. The incubation period, or the time that it takes to develop an infection after being exposed, can range from 15-50 days, but is usually about 28 days.
Diagnosis can be made with blood tests to check for immunoglobulin antibodies and liver function tests.
The Hepatitis A vaccine can protect you from getting Hepatitis A. There are two inactivated vaccines against Hepatitis A that are licensed in the United States, and these are Havrix and Vaqta. Both are very effective at preventing infection with this virus.
As of the 2006 Childhood Immunization Schedule, the Hepatitis A vaccine is now recommended for all children between the ages of 12 and 23 months. A booster dose is given six months later.
Previously, the Hepatitis A vaccine was only recommended for certain high risk children and adults. This included children over age one and adults who will be traveling out of the United States to an area that has a high rate of Hepatitis A (most areas, except Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Western Europe and Scandinavia), who should receive a dose of the vaccine at least one month before leaving.
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| The Hepatitis A vaccine should be given to children living in Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington. |
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Children living in the following states (mostly in the western US) should also routinely receive the Hepatitis A vaccine, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington. You should also consider giving your child the vaccine if you live in high risk areas of Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Texas, and Wyoming. Ask your doctor or check with your local healthy department if you think you may live in one of these high risk areas.
Besides foreign travel, children who should be considered for vaccination include people with chronic liver disease, hemophilia or other clotting factor disorders (especially if they are receiving factor concentrates), and children who attend day care or who are in a custodial care institution.
Postexposure prophylaxis (to prevent you from becoming infected) after being exposed to someone with Hepatitis A may include receiving the Hepatitis A immune globulin if it is has been less than two weeks since the exposure (and if it is available). Hepatitis A vaccine may also be given if future exposures are likely. Call your doctor of local health department if you have been exposed to someone with Hepatitis A.
Children who have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose of Hepatitis A should not receive this vaccine. You should also probably not receive Hepatitis A if you are pregnant.
Mild problems and side effects that can occur after receiving the Hepatitis A vaccine include soreness where the shot was given, headache, loss of appetite, and tiredness. Severe problems are very rare, but may include having a serious allergic reaction.
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