Health Topics for Digestive System

James A. Clifton Center for Digestive Diseases

Cancers of the Digestive System

Liver Failure Clinic

Liver Service

Hepatitis vaccine

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, caused by a virus. There are at least 5 types of viral hepatitis. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are the most common. Fortunately, there are vaccines to prevent these two types of hepatitis.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is found in the stool (bowel movements) of people with Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is usually spread by close contact or sometimes by eating food or drinking water contaminated with HAV. Hepatitis A vaccine provides long-term protection. The vaccine can be given to children 2 years or older and adults who are at risk for getting hepatitis A. The immunization is given in 2 doses 6 months apart.

The following people should get the immunization for hepatitis A:

• people traveling or working in developing countries
• people living in communities that have outbreaks of hepatitis A
• men who have sex with men
• people who use street drugs
• people with chronic liver disease and
• people who receive clotting factor concentrates

The most common side effects from the hepatitis A shots are soreness in the arm where the shot is given, and some adults have headaches. Very few adults may feel tired, and a few children may not be hungry after the shots. The side effects usually begin 3 to 5 days after the shot and may last 1 to 2 days.

Hepatitis B (HBV) is a much more serious disease. It can cause long-term illness that leads to liver damage, or liver cancer. Hepatitis B can be spread through contact with blood and other body fluids of an infected person. Many people who are infected with hepatitis B do not know how they got it. The ways that a person may get infected are:

• unprotected sex with an infected person
• sharing needles when using illegal drugs
• being stuck by a used needle and
• during birth when the virus passes from an infected mother to her baby

The hepatitis B vaccine is given in a series of 3 shots. The first dose can be given at any time. The second dose should be given 1 to 2 months after the first. And the third dose can be given 4 to 6 months after the first dose. Everyone younger than 18 years of age should get the hepatitis B vaccine. Babies of infected mothers can get the vaccine within 12 hours of being born. Other babies should receive the vaccine at 2 months of age.

Adults over 18 years of age who are at risk should get the vaccine. People who are at risk include:

• people who have more than one sex partner in 6 months
• men who have sex with other men
• sex contacts of infected people
• people who inject illegal drugs
• healthcare and public safety workers who could come in contact with blood or other body fluids
• household members of people with chronic hepatitis B infection and
• people on hemodialysis

The side effects of hepatitis B vaccine are few. Some people will have some soreness where the shot was given for a day or two. Occasionally they may have a mild fever.

There is a new combination vaccine approved for protecting individuals 18 years or older against diseases caused by HAV and HBV. The vaccine combines the two already approved vaccines and is given in a three dose series at 0, 1, and 6 months. It has been proven as safe and effective as the two separate vaccines.

If there are questions about hepatitis A or B, or the vaccine for these, a healthcare provider should be contacted. People who are not sure if they should get the vaccine should also contact a provider.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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