HEPATITIS A – ‘Infectious Hepatitis’

Hepatitis A is an easily transmitted viral infection spread by poor hygiene. It is particularly common in countries and areas with poor sanitation.

While many infections have few symptoms, the most common form of illness is acute hepatitis, or ‘yellow jaundice’. Patients feel off colour, have no appetite, pass brown urine and develop yellow skin and eyes. Most people recover fully, but occasionally the acute infection is very severe and can be fatal. The incubation period is 2 to 4 weeks. Unlike hepatitis B, there is no chronic carrier state.

Hepatitis vaccine is available in two forms :

Hepatitis A alone (e.g. Havrix A). Two injections are required, 6 to 12 months apart. Immunity develops 2 to 4 weeks after the first injection.

Hepatitis A + B ( e.g. Twinrix) - This gives immunity to both hepatitis A and B. Three injections are required, 1 and 6 months after the first.

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for :

-people travelling to countries with poor sanitation e.g. S E Asia or China

-staff working in childcare or preschool care

-ATSI children in northern Australia and people working in rural or remote indigenous communities

-the intellectually disabled and their carers

-sewerage workers

-injecting drug users and men who have sex with men

-people with any form of chronic liver disease

-people with haemophilia

Neither hepatitis A nor B are live vaccines.

Hepatitis A vaccine should NOT be given to those with a previous allergic reaction to either hepatitis A or B vaccines, or where there is a fever over 38.5.

Adverse reactions to the vaccines are very uncommon although 20% to 50% of people may feel a little off colour and have some soreness at the injection site. Fever or headache are quite uncommon.

Both vaccines can be given during pregnancy.