Do you still need vaccines for hep A?

Posted by Blog Post on December 9th, 2021

Hepatitis refers to the inflammation of the liver caused by the viruses of the respective names. Hepatitis-A Virus (HAV) and hepatitis-B virus (HBV) both cause disease in the adult, which are preventable with vaccination by Hepatologist in Lahore.

Read on to know more about HAV induced disease:

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver caused most commonly by the hepatitis viruses—A, B, C, D and E. This disease effects liver function due to the inflammatory changes it causes, and presents with a myriad of symptoms. The presentation of viral hepatitis is similar but some viruses don’t cause chronic damage by staying in the body.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV) causes short-term, acute onset of disease, which resolves in most cases without lasting liver damage. Unlike hepatitis B and C viruses, hepatitis A is cleared from the body and doesn’t take the chronic form.

Typically, hepatitis A has an abrupt onset with abdominal discomfort, fever, malaise, anorexia nausea, and jaundice occurring in 70 percent of the adults. In children, hepatitis A often has an asymptomatic presentation.

The signs and symptoms of hepatitis A resolve in a couple of months, but there may be prolonged illness in 10 to 15 percent of people. In such people, the symptoms persist for as long as six months and the illness is referred to as ‘relapsing hepatitis A’.

Rarely, hepatitis A can cause liver failure and death, particularly in people battling other chronic disorders or chronic liver disease (CLD) due to other causes.

Transmission of hepatitis A

Hepatitis A spreads through personal contact, and through fecal-oral route. Ingestion of the infected food and drinks causes hepatitis A, as does personal contact with an infected person. Even asymptomatic individuals can spread the virus as they are the carriers.

Who is at risk of hepatitis A?

In areas of the world with good sanitation, there are less chances of contracting this virus. The most at-risk group includes:

• Travelers
• People living with HIV
• People living in disability centers where hygiene is difficult to maintain
• Homeless individuals who rely on shelters
• Users of drugs of abuse
• Incarcerated individuals
• People with occupational risk exposure

Vaccination schedule 

The following group is recommended to get vaccinated:

• Children: between the ages of 12 and 23 months, children should get their first dose. The second dose for children is given six months after the first dose.
• For children between the ages of 6 and 11 months, vaccination can be done if travelling but two additional doses should be given at the recommended time for lasting protection.
• Catch-up dose is given to children over the age of 2 years and young adults of 18 years if they were not vaccinated before.
• Pregnant women
• Travelers to Africa, Middle East, South Asia, Central and South America and the Caribbean among other regions.
• Military personnel
• Lab workers
• Workers in daycare facilities, correctional facilities and treatment centers
• Drug addicts
• Individuals with chronic liver disease
• Individuals suffering from hemophilia
• Individuals who have come in contact with hepatitis A patient should get vaccinated within two weeks of exposure.

How is the vaccine given?

The hepatitis A vaccine comes in two forms. The first type is the single-dose vaccine, which is given in two shots, with a period of six months in between. For lasting protection, it is important to take both the shots.

The combined form contains vaccine against hepatitis A and B, and anyone over the age of 18 years is eligible for this vaccine. This vaccine is given by Hepatologist in Karachi as three shots, over a period of six months. The vaccine offers long-term protection against hepatitis A and B, both.