How to Prevent Hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis is an infection of the liver that can lead to severe liver damage, prolonged illness, and even death. There are many different forms of hepatitis with the most common labeled: Hepatitis A, B or C. Hepatitis C (or HCV) has been getting a lot of notice lately because of its dramatic increase, limited treatment options and lack of vaccine protection available. However, this article is going to focus on the two "older" forms of hepatitis, A and B (or HAV and HBV)--and help you understand how to acquire simple yet effective protection against them.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Evaluation by your primary care provider
• A simple blood test for immunity (or antibody protection) against HAV and/or HBV
• Vaccine(s) as appropriate

1. Discuss with your primary health care provider any potential risk activities for hepatitis infection such as unprotected sex, street drug use (even once), tattooing or contact with contaminated food or other substances.

2. Obtain a screening panel for hepatitis infection. Most panels will include all three major forms of hepatitis: A, B and C.

3. Review your hepatitis lab values with your primary care provider. You may have acquired a "natural" immunity against HAV and/or HBV by virtue of subclinical exposure that was unknown to you. If you have a "natural immunity" it means your body has developed protective antibodies against that particular form of hepatitis. If you do not have this antibody protection, you will want to discuss vaccine options to prevent HAV and HBV from infecting your liver.

4. There are two separate vaccines available to protect against acquiring HAV and HBV. However, if a person requires protection from one of these forms of hepatitis (HAV and HBV), there is a convenient combination vaccine that can be taken to protect against both HAV and HBV at the same time.
   
   The dosing schedule for solo Hepatitis A vaccine (HAV) is one injection on Day One followed by a booster at a 6-month interval (two doses in total).
   
   The dosing schedule for solo Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) is one injection on Day One followed by boosters at 1 and then 6-month intervals (three doses in total).
   
   For people that need the combination vaccine (called Twinrix) against BOTH HAV and HBV, the dosing is on Day One followed by a 1-month and then a 6-month interval booster (three doses in total).

Tips & Warnings

• Protection against HAV and HBV is a very wise preventative health care measure.
• Depending on your risk exposure potential, career and other factors, many states offer vaccination against HAV and HBV free of charge or for a nominal fee.
• If you have Hepatitis C, you should make sure you are protected against HAV and HBV to prevent acquiring another form of hepatitis.
• Generally, these vaccines are regarded as safe and highly effective.
• Both HAV and HBV vaccines can be given at an accelerated rate if you suddenly need to travel to endemic areas and do not have antibody protection against HAV and/or HBV.
• This article is strictly for informational purposes. Only a licensed health care provider can test for any form of hepatitis and discuss possible vaccines or treatments.

Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Hepatitis Information Guide

[lawrenctopper]

on 1/18/2009 THANKS FOR THE ARTICLE.VERY INFORMITIVE.

[shirleybill]

on 1/18/2009 Great advice.