Friendly Print preview

DHS information: www.health.vic.gov.au/ideas/diseases/quicklinks.htm
Overseas information: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/Index.htm

HEPATITIS A

Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver. In adults, it causes jaundice which usually lasts from 1 to 3 weeks and is followed by slow recovery. In children it may cause no symptoms or only mild diarrhoea. However as infected children may become asymptomatic excretors of the virus for many weeks vaccination of all children should be considered. In the Over 60 age group Hepatitis A  is usually more severe and can be fatal.

How is it transmitted ? The virus is passed in faeces, and can be passed to other people through hand contact, consumption of food contaminated by food handlers or sewage, or swimming, bathing or drinking sewage contaminated water. Incubation period 2 to 7 weeks.

The risk of catching Hepatitis A is approximately 2% per month of travel among backpackers, and 6 per 1000 per month even among travellers staying in high class hotels for short periods. It is common in most Asian, African, Mediterranean and Eastern European countries.

A safe and effective vaccine against Hepatitis A (Havrix) or VAQTA (CSL)  is available. It contains inactivated hepatitis A virus and is not a blood product. Two doses of Havrix 720 vaccine 1 month apart or 1 dose of Havrix 1440 (or equivalent of VAQTA) provide excellent protection for up to one year. (95% conversion with 1 injection and 98% conversion after second injection). A booster of  vaccine (either 720 or 1440) 12 months later provides protection for about 20 years.

Recent studies have shown that Hepatitis A vaccine given in the early stages of hepatitis A incubation can abort or significantly modify the disease. This is now preferred to gamma Globulin*. Hence it is reasonable to give Hepatitis A vaccine to travellers even on the day of departure in preference to Gamma Globulin.
  ( *CSL literature on VAQTA).

Side Effects: Red sore arm 4 - 7%; Fever, headache & malaise 1 - 10%

Alternatively, an injection of gamma globulin given just prior to departure can provide approximately a 70% protection rate for between 6 weeks and 6 months depending on the dose.

Information mostly taken from: "International Travel and Health" (WHO year book - internet only)
Australian Immunisation Handbook, 8th Edition - 9/2003 - Part1 - Part 2 & Part 3 (large pdf files)
Centre for Disease Control, USA -  www.cdc.gov/travel Travel Health Seminar Oct 96, June 97,Feb 98, March 99, May 2000, August 2002 & March 2005 - Victorian Medical Postgraduate Foundation.
Manual of Travel Medicine, Melbourne, Oct 2004. Updated 18/09/2005.  Additional references & disclaimer.

  Last Update: 14-Sep-2005