How to Identify Hepatitis A Vaccine Side Effects

Hepatitis A is disease that affects the liver. Most people who contract the disease do so in childhood. The disease causes severe stomach pain accompanied by flu-like symptoms and jaundice. The vaccine, also known as HAV, has been widely available in the world, but can't be administered to children under one-year old. Here are the side effects of the HAV vaccine.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Look for soreness, loss of appetite, headache and fatigue. These are the most common side effects of the Hepatitis A vaccine. These side effects affect from 1 in 2 to 1 in 14 people, depending on the symptoms. The problems should only last one to two days. If they last longer, call your doctor.
2. Determine if the side effects you are seeing are classified as severe. The severe side effects are the same for any allergic reaction to medicines including high fever, breathing abnormality, hoarseness, wheezing, dizziness and elevated heart beat. These symptoms will appear within minutes to a few hours of the shot. Call a doctor immediately.
3. Watch for any unusual behavior of the person who received the Hepatitis A vaccine. If you are unsure of something, contact your doctor and let them know what is going on. Tell the doctor that the person received the Hepatitis A vaccine and when it was given.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact the National Vaccine Compensation Group at 1-800-338-2382 for funding available when a side effect causes you financial difficulties.