Hepatitis A Vaccination

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Hepatitis A vaccine

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Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused
by the hepatitis A virus. It is spread through
contaminated water and food, especially shellfish
or through person to person contact where
personal hygiene is poor (faecal-oral
route). Hepatitis A occurs worldwide, mostly in
countries where sanitation is poor. It is now
rare in Western Europe, Scandinavia, North
America, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. Most
cases imported into Britain have been contracted
in the Indian sub-continent.

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The risks for travelers
Vaccination is recommended if you are visiting
areas where drinking water may be unsafe and
where hygiene and sanitation is poor. There are
various brands of hepatitis A vaccine available
Avaxim, Epaxal, Havrix Monodose, Havrix Junior
Monodose and Vaqta Paediatric. Hepatitis A
vaccine is also available in a preparation that
combines it with hepatitis B vaccine Ambirix,
Twinrix and Twinrix Paediatric and a preparation
that combines it with typhoid vaccine Hepatyrix
and ViATIM.

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Prevention is focused on ensuring that food and
water are safe. Avoidance of foodstuffs such as
shellfish, salads, unwashed fruit and vegetables
and raw or undercooked meat products are
essential. Good personal hygiene is also very
important. Individuals should ensure that they
wash their hands prior to eating and after using
the bathroom.

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Signs and symptoms of Hepatitis A

• Children often asymptomatic. Symptoms are common
  in adults and severity tends to increase with
  age.
• Onset of illness is usually abrupt with
• Headache
• Nausea/vomiting
• Diarrhoea and abdominal pain
• Jaundice may follow often associated with
  uncomfortable itching
• Duration of jaundice is usually 7-14 days

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