|
|
Hepatitis A
Which adults need hepatitis A vaccine?
- Adults travelling to countries outside of the US, except for Canada, Western Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Household members and other close personal contacts of adopted children newly arriving from countries with moderate or high rates of hepatitis A.
- Adults with liver disease or a blood disorder like hemophilia.
- Men who have sex with men.
- Adults who use injection or non-injection illegal drugs.
- Hepatitis A vaccine is available alone or in a combination with hepatitis B vaccine.
Did you know...
some people who are infected with hepatitis A never develop symptoms, but they can still pass the infection on to others?
What happens when someone gets hepatitis A?
- Hepatitis A can cause varying symptoms, but most often causes fever, tiredness, appetite loss, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, diarrhea, and dark urine.
- Jaundice is another common symptom that causes the skin and whites of the eyes to turn yellow.
- Most of the symptoms of hepatitis A will last less than two months, but some people will experience symptoms on and off for up to six months.
Why is hepatitis A vaccine important?
- Hepatitis A is a very common vaccine-preventable disease Americans get when they travel outside the US.
- Hepatitis A is easily transmitted by contaminated food or water.
- Adults who get hepatitis A lose an average of one month of work.
FAQ: Does anyone die from hepatitis A infection?
About 100 people die from hepatitis A in the US each year. |
|
|
