Hepatitis A: The Dirty, Rotten, No-Good Torturer

In a world where everyone lives their lives differently from the next, you might find yourself sometimes surrounded by individuals who unbeknownst to you may have poor hygiene habits. The even scarier idea is that sometimes these kinds of people work at places where they touch and serve food. Even with protection such as gloves or head, it is still not a guarantee that what you eat outside is completely pure. 

Hepatitis A, as with other illnesses, can be spread in this manner. It is an infectious disease of the liver that though is not fatal in 95.5% of all cases, it can leave an individual with nausea, vomiting, fatigue, severe fever, dark urine, and permanent damage of the liver that can require transplant. It can be spread through contaminated food and water that contains traces of feces that contain the virus. An individual with poor hygiene is more prompt to spread it than one who has great hygiene. It has been known that the virus is most prevalent in poor hygiene regions.

In the media, we have seen this as one of the causes of Hepatitis A. In 2003, an outbreak occurred in the United States in Ohio and West Pennsylvania. More than 640 people were infected and three of the cases became fatal. Tainted green onions that were used at a restaurant in Monaca, Pennsylvania were blamed as the source and origin of the outbreak. Last month there was another outbreak that took place in 8 states as a result of contaminated frozen berries. About 118 people were infected with the virus. The berries were revealed to have come from the United States, Argentina, Chile, and Turkey. It is possible that the people who handled the berries before being transported to factories were already infected with the virus or it could have been transmitted by infected flies. Flies feed on feces and if the fecal matter is that of an infected individual, the fly can become contagious.

Could poor hygiene be the number one reason for the spread of Hepatitis A? No, but it is one of the prime reasons for the spread of the disease. Most high-income regions have low endemic levels while those that are low-income regions are known to have higher endemic levels probably in part due to lack of access to resources for combating the spread, proper sanitation, and lack of proper disposal of sewage in communities. The higher the income is in a region, the better the conditions are to afford proper healthcare, sewage disposal, and purification of water. Regions with high endemic levels have been reported to have cases where most children become infected before the age of 10. Surprisingly though, symptoms in children are not as severe as in adults and have been reported to be mild lasting between 1-3 weeks according to a report by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). If a child recovers from infection, they can develop lifelong immunity.

Nevertheless, vaccination is highly recommended for travelers to take at least two weeks before traveling to a region where the disease is endemic. There is no specific treatment, but the vaccine can help prevent infection. At minimum, antibody responses can show within 12 days after taking a shot and at most about 4 weeks. The vaccine should not only be considered by travelers, but for people who live their day to day life as well. Outbreaks occur sometimes without warning, even here in the United States. Even after exposure to the virus, a single dose of the vaccine has protective effects even two weeks after exposure. However, manufacturers recommend two vaccine doses to increase the antibody levels for longer-term protection.

 

Millions of people worldwide have been vaccinated with no serious side-effects. The vaccine can also be given as part of regular childhood immunizations. If you are in New York City considering taking the Hepatitis A vaccine, especially if you are traveling outside of the United States, for information visit us at our website at www.travelclinicny.com or call us at 212-696-5900 to schedule an appointment.

Hepatitis A Virus and Why You Should Get Vaccinated

Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease of the liver that is caused by the virus of the same name, hepatitis A virus or HAV.  Hepatitis A is an RNA virus that spreads in most cases by the fecal-oral route.  In short, the virus is heavily transmitted from person to person through the ingestion of food or water that has been previously contaminated.  Unfortunately, one who eventually contracts the virus may never know when or how he or she even came in contact with it, which makes the virus completely spontaneous.   Individuals can also become contaminated with the virus through directed contact with an infected person. 

This year alone, tens of millions of people will be contaminated.  The inability to immediately discern whether someone has become infected allows the virus to harbor undetected for a few weeks.  There is a space of time between the initial contraction of the infection and the appearance of its symptoms known as the incubation period that can consist of around two weeks to six.  The incubation period greatly aids the virus’s spread, because someone who has been contaminated infects food or water unknowingly and unwillingly; thereby infecting others who are also unaware of the potential risks.  The incubation period of Hepatitis A usually lasts for around twenty-eight days. 

Because of usually poor hygiene standards, developing countries are much more susceptible to the virus.  A source of water is not always privately consumed or distributed in poorer countries like here in the United States.  This allows for a large group of people to come contact with an infected source, whereas in more developed countries, those contaminated aren’t as likely to spread the disease as easily.  The higher the countries wealth, the lower the likelihood of contracting the virus, but that does not mean those in first world countries are immune from contraction.

Another worrying factor of the Hepatitis A virus is that children are the most likely to become infected; because when one is infected he or she is essentially immune afterwards.  The risk of the virus is directly proportional with the age of the contaminated.  Adults have a much more severe response to the virus and 80% of those infected have symptoms that are compatible with acute hepatitis, whereas children are more likely to have either a asymptomatic or unrecognized infection.  Although it is rare, there have been cases of relapse.  Luckily, there is a vaccination to treat the danger of HAV.  

 

The first successful Hepatitis A vaccine was created by Maurice Hilleman and with a success rate of 95%, the vaccine goes a long way in stifling the virus and its symptoms: fatigue, fever, jaundice, nausea.  There are currently two types of vaccines. One contains the inactivated Hepatitis A virus, and the other a live, attenuated virus.  The injection takes place in the upper arm region and is usually given in two doses.  The vaccine gives immunity to its host for fifteen to twenty-five years.  If you are ever traveling to a developing country, vaccination is greatly recommended, especially if a child is present.  Although mortality for Hepatitis is low, one can never exude too much caution when dealing with such a transmittable virus. Contact the office of a local travel clinic to set up an appointment!

Vacationing? With vaccination, stay Hep A free and happy.

What is Hepatitis A?

“Hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver, and severe liver disease can be caused by exposure to the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). Although HAV is contained in feces, the disease can be contracted by the consumption of even microscopic amounts of fecal waste. The illness is commonly acquired through personal contact with an infected person, and through contaminated food or water.

Who needs the vaccination?

Hepatitis A has been on the decline in the United States, due to the recommended vaccination of all children at one year of age. However, the virus remains a common problem in countries with poorly controlled sanitation. Regardless of the caution you may exercise with food and accommodations on your upcoming trip, it remains extremely important for travelers to receive the Hepatitis A vaccination before entering areas where the virus is common. These regions include Africa, Asia with the exception of Japan, the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean. While Hepatitis A is a pressing concern for travelers, other lifestyle choices may also expose you to HAV, so please consult a complete list of risk factors and talk to your healthcare provider if you are concerned.

When and how can I be vaccinated?

The Hepatitis A vaccination is administered in two doses, given as shots. Your protection from the disease begins about 2-4 weeks after receiving the initial dosage, so be sure to visit your preferred travel clinic to get the first shot at least one month before traveling. The second booster shot should be taken 6-12 months after the primary vaccination. Once administered, the Hep A vaccine lasts about 15 years, so you can be assured of protection on this summer’s vacation and beyond!

The Lexicon of Hepatitis A & Why You Should Get Vaccinated

     Who ever takes into consideration when they are eating or when they are outside that what we sometimes take or breathe into our bodies is not the healthiest or safest entity for our body’s function? It would only seem natural that what the earth produces was made for man’s benefit and never for their harm, but with the existence of bacteria in our environment, our immune system is subject to many risks that we don’t see nor taste. This is especially the case when individuals travel to other countries and/or cities that are still in the development phase or that have poor hygiene standards and because of this, neutralization of certain diseases is slow. One of these is Hepatitis A which is a worldwide viral disease. In mostly low-income regions is the virus more prevalent. The virus is not known to become fatal (mortality rate is only 0.5%) but the symptoms and the effects on an individual’s health is a burden that nobody would want to carry. Fatigue, consistent itching, loss of appetite, severe fever, nausea and vomiting, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and the darkening of the urine (due to liver infection) are just some of the symptoms of Hepatitis A.

     Hepatitis A can infect an individual in any region in the world where sanitary conditions are poor but it is especially more common in Asia, Eastern Europe, South and Central America. It can be transmitted through sexual contact with an individual who has the virus through anal-oral contact, contaminated food and water (especially fruit, vegetables, and shellfish), or through an individual with poor hygiene such as lack of proper hand-washing or showering and that touches objects and food after bathroom breaks.   

There is no known cure for Hepatitis A but there are ways to prevent infection, the most important being vaccination. Every day, we surround ourselves with individuals who we don’t know how their hygiene is and because nowadays most people choose to eat outside, unbeknownst to the individual, the purity and cleanness of what they are taking in may very well be lacking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best way to prevent Hepatitis A is by getting vaccinated. Here are three reasons why the vaccination should be considered and taken by individuals:

•  If you are an individual that likes to travel and are planning to do so this summer, the vaccine should be considered especially if you are visiting a region where hepatitis A is prevalent
•  If you have had close personal contact with someone who is infected, whether it is a spouse, sexual partner (especially anal-oral contact), or family member.
•  If you are an individual whose occupation involves working with animals, primates, children and people who are sick especially in veterinarians, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and hospitals.

     The side-effects of the Hepatitis A vaccine should not turn you away nor give you reason for not considering vaccination for they are not severe and in most cases are known to be mild such as headache, tiredness, and soreness where the shot was given. If you are planning to travel, the vaccine should be taken 4 weeks before you travel to allow time for the vaccine to work. My motto is that a clean bill of health is always bliss and in reality, it really is and it is worth every investment that we make. If you are considering taking the vaccine and seeking more info, visit us at our website at www.travelclinicny.com or call us at 212-696-5900 to schedule an appointment. A worry-free and healthy summer is bliss!