Hepatitis A – is a serious liver disease which is caused by infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The virus is usually transmitted by close contact and occasionally through contaminated food or water containing the virus of hepatitis A.
Vaccines
Who and when should be vaccinated against hepatitis A? All children from 1 year (from 12 to 23 months), children aged 1 year and older and adults who are traveling or working in countries where hepatitis A is strongly or moderately common, for example, countries in Central and South America, Mexico, Asia (excluding Japan), Africa and Eastern Europe. Children and adolescents under age 18 who live in countries or states where routine vaccination is carried out because of high incidence. People, who use drugs, people with chronic liver disease. Staff working with HAV-infected animals or work with hepatitis A virus for research purposes.
For the formation in the body long term immunity vaccination is carried out in two stages. The interval between the first and second vaccination must be at least 6 months. Hepatitis A vaccine can be used simultaneously with other vaccines.
The vaccine, like any other medication, can cause serious complications such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of serious complications or death due to offensive hepatitis A vaccination is very low. Get vaccinated against hepatitis A is much safer than recover. Among the minor complications can be identified: inflammation, soreness at the injection site (approximately 1 in 2 adults and 1 in 6 children), headache (about 1 in 6 adults and 1 in 25 children), loss of appetite (approximately 1 out of 12 children), fatigue (about 1 out of 14 adults).? If such complications arise, then they usually last for 1 or 2 days. In rare cases, may be a severe allergic reaction the first few minutes or hours after injection.