If I already had Hepatitis A as a child, would it be a must to get a vaccin shot for it before travelling?

Question

As a child i had hepatitis A, that's some 25 years ago. I am regularely travelling in countries where hepatitis A is a big issue and i wonder if, among needed vaccines, i should also get a vaccine for it. would it be the same answer for type B? thanks

Answer 1

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed are no substitute for the evaluation and advice of a qualified medical provider.

It is necessary first to understand hepatitis. Hepatitis is simply an inflammation of the liver caused by a variety of reasons, which if not stopped or prevented in the first place, may lead to cirrhosis(scarring of liver) and ultimately possible liver failure and/or liver cancer. The patient may have complaints of: jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), fever and just feeling lousy. The most common cause of hepatitis is alcoholism; second most common and important cause is viral infections of the liver, such as hepatitis A,B,C. Currently vaccines exist for hepatitis A and B; currently there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is certainly the most worrisome for medical professionals and anyone for that matter coming in contact with body substances because there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Viral hepatitis is extremely virulent, meaning it is easy to spread and catch. Hepatitis A is spread by the fecal-oral route of transmission, in other words you usually get it from food or water contaminated with feces (crap). Hepatitis A is considered the least serious out of all the viral hepatitises and usually goes away on its own. Hepatitis B and C are much more serious and may lead to liver failure and/or liver cancer and ultimately death. Hepatitis B and C are usually spread by blood, although they may be spread by other body substances. They usually take many years to cause serious disease or death, although some people go into liver failure almost immediately (the minority of people). Just so you know the difference between infection and disease. Infection is simply having the germ in you without feeling or being ill; versus disease which is being infected and feeling or being ill.

If you had hepatitis A before and your immune system is healthy, you probably still have some immunity. The only way to determine this is to have blood work to see if you indeed have immunity to hepatitis A. It is possibly you could benefit from the hepatitis A vaccine. Hepatitis A vaccine is a 2-dose series given 6 - 18 months apart. More importantly, I would definitely get the hepatitis B vaccine which is a three shot series, 1) initial dose 2) second dose 1 month after initial 3) third dose 6 months after initial. When the hepatitis C vaccine becomes available, you should certainly get this one as well. You should consult a travel medicine clinic or a doctor specializing in infectious diseases, these folks deal with these kinds of issues all the time and have the most experience in these matters. There are also other precautions you should take if traveling.

For your convenience, here is the CDC travel medicine website:

http://www.cdc.gov/travel/

Remember the number way to avoid infection from germs is frequently washing your hands the proper way, in other words using soap and water and scrubbing the entire hand really well. Also, you should always avoid the body substances of other people.
I hope that this helps you and god bless. If possible, let me know after a blood test if you still have immunity to Hepatitis A after 25 years and how everything works out for you, I am curious.

One more thing: Viral hepatitis infection is not curable, once the virus gets into the liver cell it is there for the rest of your life, whether the virus causes disease or not is another issue (look at the above description of infection vs. disease). The test they use to determine "viral load" with a viral hepatitis infection will some times come back as undetectable but this simply means that the amount of viral particles in the blood is so small that the test is not capable of detecting the viral particles.

One more thing #2: To respond to the above gentleman's claim of Hepatitis B Vaccine being a waste of money. Federal law requires employers to pay for the three shot series of Hepatitis B vaccine in certain industries such as: healthcare, sewage worker, etc. In addition, newborns are vaccinated and all school age children are required to be vaccinated. There are government funds for this. This is how strongly society feels about the effectiveness of giving the Hepatitis B Vaccine to everyone to prevent the likely undesirable consequences of Hepatitis B infection/disease. Also, the most common form of spreading Hepatitis B is IV drug use but you can get Hepatitis B and not even see visible blood or other body substances. Another common way to catch it, is assisting a bleeding person without using universal precautions (ex. latex/nitrile gloves, face shield if an artery is cut). In other words it is spread very easily, it is spread much easier than HIV.

Answer 2

I think hepatitis A is curable. It is the conventional jaundice, and I guess it would be cured in 25 years. Other wise you wouldnt be probably healthy.

Hepatitis B is a relative of HIV, (Most people who have AIDS will also have hepatitis B) and there are vaccines given after childbirth to the child, and there are booster doses.

Consult a doctor. It is highly advisable to get vaccinated. Good Luck.

Answer 3

The government is not requiring you to force your child into getting the new Gardasil shot. Most doctors believe it is wise for young girls to get the shot in order to protect them against this very harmful virus later on in their lives. This does not force you to explain the ways of sex to your child though. It all depends on how you approach the matter. You could simply get the vaccine when you take your daughter in for her other vaccinations. From what I've asked my gynecologist, many pediatricians carry the vaccine, so it wouldn't be necessary for you to take your daughter to a GYN. Like I said before though, the shot is not required. You may do as you wish with your child. Once she becomes 18, she can make her own decisions but for now you're still in control of how she lives her daily life, well to a certain degree. It would be wise to talk to your daughter sometime soon about sex. I don't mean full on details but just lightly explain to her what it is. Also tell her that she should wait until she is older and feels completely comfortable with the decision. I know a lot of girls really do listen to their mother's during times like these. Many schools begin teaching sex education around the age of 11 or 12. This happened to me, my brothers and sisters. I'm not sure, but I do think high schools are required to teach it during health classes though. But you still have time until that day comes.

Answer 4

If you've had it, then you already have the antibodies to it and won't need the vaccine. For Hep B, if you've had it and don't have a chronic infection, then you should be protected from that, too. If you haven't had it, then get vaccinated. Why risk liver disease when there is a vaccine?
Best wishes.

Answer 5

Go to your Dr and ask for a blood test to check your levels i know that the vaccine is for B and C but i'm not to sure weather it is for A as well. If you have had your Heb B vaccine you are supposed to have your levels checked every 3 years anyway. I don't travel but i had to have it done as i worked with children and i still have them checked to be safe.

Answer 6

Here is the deal - if you already had Hep A when you were a child I would skip it.... You may catch it again and get sick, but personally I would take my chances..

Hep B skip it altogeher. Its a waste of money, bigtime! Here is the rationalization. Most times Hep B is transmitted sexually and if you are having unprotected sex than why worry about Hep B when you could be catching HIV? If you use your head and use protection you don't have to worry about either ( pretty much ) You understadning me?