Hepatitis A Pediatric Vaccine: What Is Hepatitis A Vaccine

Content provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.

What is hepatitis A vaccine?

Hepatitis is a serious disease caused by a virus that affects your liver. Hepatitis A vaccine is an immunization given to keep you from getting hepatitis A virus (HAV). There are other types of the disease (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C), but this vaccine will only protect against hepatitis A.

The hepatitis A virus is shed in the stool (feces) of a person infected with the disease. When the infected person does not properly wash his or her hands after using the bathroom, this person can then contaminate foods or other surfaces touched or handled. HAV can be spread through close personal contact with an infected person, or by eating contaminated food. HAV can also live in water that is contaminated with sewage. The virus is then spread when contaminated water is used as drinking water or in harvesting or washing fruits and other foods that are eaten uncooked.

Hepatitis A infection can cause a "flu-like" illness that leads to loss of appetite; diarrhea and vomiting; tiredness; jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or pain in the muscles, joints, and stomach.

Hepatitis A vaccine contains a small amount of the virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. Vaccination with hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for adults and children who travel or work in areas where hepatitis A infection is common. These areas include Central and South America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Asia (except Japan), Africa, southern or eastern Europe, and others. This vaccine and any booster shots should be received at least 2 weeks prior to travel or expected exposure to HAV.

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Last updated:	December 28, 2005