Part 2 of 2
You can avoid getting hepatitis A by receiving the hepatitis A vaccine. Vaccines are medicines that keep you from getting sick. Vaccines teach the body to attack specific viruses and infections. The hepatitis A vaccine teaches your body to attack the hepatitis A virus.
The hepatitis A vaccine is given in two shots. The second shot is given 6 to 12 months after the first shot. You should get both hepatitis A
vaccine shots to be fully protected.
- All children should be vaccinated between 12 and 23 months of age. Discuss the hepatitis A vaccine with your child’s doctor.
- Adults at higher risk of getting hepatitis A, and people with chronic liver disease, should also be vaccinated.
If you are traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common, including Mexico, try to get both shots before you go. If you don’t have time to get both shots before you travel, get the first shot as soon as possible. Most people gain some protection within two weeks after the first shot.
You can also protect yourself, and others, from hepatitis A, if you:
- Always wash your hands with warm, soapy water after using the toilet or changing diapers, and before fixing food or eating
- Use bottled water for drinking, making ice cubes, and washing fruits and vegetables when you are in a developing country
- Tell your doctor and your dentist if you have hepatitis A
What should I do if I think I have been in contact with the hepatitis A virus?
See your doctor right away if you think you have been in contact with the hepatitis A virus. A dose of the hepatitis A vaccine, or a medicine called hepatitis A immune globulin, may protect you from getting sick if taken shortly after coming into contact with the hepatitis A virus.
Eating, Diet, and Nutrition
If you have hepatitis A, you should do things to take care of yourself, including eating a healthy diet. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can harm the liver. Talk with your doctor before taking vitamins and other supplements.
Points to Remember
- Hepatitis A is a virus, or infection, that causes inflammation of the liver.
- Anyone can get hepatitis A, but some people are more likely to than others.
- You could get hepatitis A through contact with an infected person’s stool.
- Most people do not have any symptoms of hepatitis A.
- Children younger than age 6 may have no symptoms of hepatitis A.
- Hepatitis A may cause mild, flulike symptoms in older children and adults.
- See a doctor right away if you or a child in your care has symptoms of hepatitis A.
- A blood test will show if you have hepatitis A.
- Hepatitis A usually gets better in a few weeks without treatment.
- You can avoid getting hepatitis A by receiving the hepatitis A vaccine.
- Tell your doctor and your dentist if you have hepatitis A.
- See your doctor right away if you think you have been in contact with the hepatitis A virus.
Hope Through Research
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) supports basic and clinical research into many digestive disorders, including hepatitis A. Researchers are studying new ways to prevent hepatitis A. Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research.
This concludes the Hepatitis A article. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1980, the Clearinghouse provides information about digestive diseases to people with digestive disorders and to their families, health care professionals, and the public. The NDDIC answers inquiries, develops and distributes publications, and works closely with professional and patient organizations and Government agencies to coordinate resources about digestive diseases. For more information, visit: www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov.
Sources available upon request.
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