Hepatitis and its vaccine

The word hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis has many causes including viruses, alcohol, toxins, autoimmune disease and fat accumulation in the liver. Hep A, B, and C are the most common types of viral hepatitis.

Each of these viruses is different, but they cause similar diseases. Hep brings liver inflammation, and it can be serious or even life-threatening.

HAV and HBV have caused damages and death. Vaccines are given to prevent the disease. And It is advised for everyone to take the vaccine because we come in contact with so many people on a daily basis. Prevention is better than cure

There are safe and effective vaccines that can prevent hepatitis A and B (but not for types C, D, or E). there is also a combination vaccine that guards against hepatitis A and B.

Who Should Get the Hepatitis A vaccine?

It is recommended that all children between the ages of 12 months and 23 months get this vaccine.

The following people are also at risk for the disease and should be vaccinated:

• Children and teens through age 18 who live in state or communities that have made this vaccination routine because of a high rate of disease.
• Men who have sex with men
• Anyone who uses illegal drugs
• People with chronic (long-term) liver disease.
• Anyone treated with blood clotting drugs, such as people with hemophilia
• Travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common.
• People adopting or close to a child adopted from a country where hepatitis A is common

For the hepatitis B vaccine:

For long-lasting immunity, you need three to four doses, depending on which type of vaccine is used. You get them as shots.

Children should get their first dose at birth and complete the series by age 6 months.

Usually, the baby would get a second dose at 1 month old and the third dose at 6 months.

Babies born to women who have hepatitis B need a shot of hep B antibodies, as well as their first hep B vaccine shot when they’re born. They will also need follow-up blood tests to make sure they’re ok.

Catch-up vaccinations are recommended for children and teens who were never vaccinated or who did not get all three shots.

If you’re an adult who wants to be vaccinated, you should talk about it with your doctor. If you are considering both vaccines, ask your doctor about vaccines that combine hep A and B.