Hepatitis A Vaccine / Hepatitis B Vaccine/ Hepatitis A and B Vaccine

ABOUT THE DISEASE AND THE VIRUS
Liver diseases can be caused by virus. There are 5 types of hepatotropic viruses that cause hepatitis: hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis D virus (HDV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV). Meanwhile, HAV, HBV and HCV are mostly common. They can cause acute liver inflammation with symptoms of nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, fever and jaundice. In addition, chronic liver infection of HBV or HCV can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Hepatitis A:
Food poisoning is commonly known as a mean of HAV transmission. Indeed, HAV is mainly transmitted via faecal-oral route, usually results from intake of contaminated food or water. Its incubation period is relatively short, compared with other hepatitis viruses, within 14-28 days. It will not cause any chronic liver diseases and is rarely fatal.

Hepatitis B:
HBV can cause acute or chronic liver diseases, it is transmitted through blood or deep body fluids. Not every infected person will present with symptoms mentioned above, some people will become chronic HBV carriers if timely treatments are unavailable to clear the virus by the time of infection – approximately 5-10% of adults and 95% of perinatally-infected infants, according to Hong Kong Department of Health. Its incubation period can be up to months for acute infection. For chronic carriers, more severe liver diseases or cancer can be developed.

ABOUT THE VACCINATION
People can be protected against hepatitis A and B viruses by vaccination. A course of 2 doses is needed for HAV vaccination, while 3 doses of HBV vaccination for the first-time vaccination and for people with very low amount of HBV antibodies in blood test are required. Combined vaccine of HAV and HBV – Twinrix® – is also available and 3 doses are necessary to gain protection.

Side effects of these vaccines are usually mild, including pain, redness and swelling of the injection site, nausea, vomit, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache and low-grade fever. For severe discomfort, please seek for medical consultation as soon as possible.

Apart from medical means, maintaining personal, food and environmental hygiene are important to prevent infection. People should avoid direct contact of others’ blood or deep body fluids or personal items that are suspected being contaminated. Safe sex is also advised.

For further enquiries or bookings for vaccination, please contact us (+852) 2779 8388.

REFERENCE

  1. Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, Hong Kong – http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/24/10828.html
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/