Hepatitis A is a liver virus that can at times become the root cause of a fatal death. Hepatitis A virus id found in the stool of the infected person, and he can infect others if he is not careful about his personal hygiene. The virus also spreads through contaminated food and water, which is infested through improper sanitary conditions.
Common symptoms associated with hepatitis viral infection are fever, abdominal pain, dark urine, jaundice, nausea, less inclination towards food and low physical activity level. Hepatitis A diagnosis tests can be made through the immunoglobin antibodies and liver function tests.
Hepatitis A vaccine can protect you from getting this deadly infection, currently in the United States there are two inactivated vaccines against Hepatitis A, these two vaccines are Havrix and Vaqta. Both these vaccines are termed extremely effective in limiting the deadly impacts of Hepatitis viruses.
According to the 2006 Childhood Immunization Schedule, the Hepatitis vaccine is now considered as a must have thing for the children between the ages of 12 and 23 months, while a booster dose is given to them after six months.
In past vaccine for Hapatitis A was given to children who were above 1 year, and to adults who were traveling abroad to other countries. They received a dose of the vaccines one month before there leaving.
Symptoms of hepatitis A in adults is more severe as compared to children, therefore food handlers, people who are suffering from chronic liver diseases, illegal drug users, people who work in laboratories, health care workers and men who have sex with men are at a greater risk of transmitting and acquiring hepatitis A disease.
Two doses of hepatitis A vaccines are given to adults in a six month time period. These Hepatitis A vaccines are extremely effective in limiting the hazardous effects of this disease to a great extent. However these vaccines have not been proven safe for pregnant women, yet breast feeding mothers can take these vaccines with ease.
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