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!