Hepatitis A is a disease of the liver that can cause serious symptoms. It is caused by the hepatitis A virus. Infected food or water are the common modes of transmission. Some persons are carrier?s ad they do not appear to be sick but still they can spread the disease.

 

Hepatitis A Vaccination 

In following regions the disease is most prevalent.

• Parts of Africa
• Parts of Asia
• Parts of the Caribbean
• Central and South America
• Eastern Europe
• Mediterranean basin
• Middle East

• Mexico

Persons Likely to Contract Hepatitis A

• All natives of high prevalence region should consider vaccination
• Homosexual and bisexual males
• Persons using illicit drug injections
• If some outbreak of the disease is reported in some particular area
• Persons who are handling the virus
• Persons who are in contact of primates

• Persons in food business

• The Persons having chronic liver conditions

Administration of the vaccine is either prohibited or limited in following conditions

• Hemophilia patients
• Uncontrolled Infections leading to fever
• Decreased Immune response  

Vaccination

• For Adults — one dose injected intramuscularly and a booster dose after approximately one year
• For Children Age Range 2 to 18 years — generally one pediatric dose intramuscular and booster generally after one year
• Not recommended for children up to 2 years of age

• Not recommended for Infants up to 12 months of age

Side Effects

 

Rarely a vaccination may lead to some side effects like-

• Problem in breathing
• Hives
• Itching
• Redness of skin
• Swelling of eyes and face
• Weakness
• Black stools
• Bleeding from gums
• Blood in stools
• Confusion    
• Irritability
• Few red spots on skin   
• Numbness    
• Cough   
• Fever    
• Headache   
• Lack of appetite
• Nausea    
• Sneezing  
• Diarrhea  
• Vomiting