HEPATITIS A VACCINE – INTRODUCTION
Hepatitis A vaccine protects from Hepatitis (inflammation of liver), caused by Hepatitis A virus. This virus is one of the most common cause of viral hepatitis.
Mode of spread
Hepatitis A commonly spreads by contaminated food and water. A person infected with with the disease may shed the virus in large quantities in the stool (especially during the early stage of disease). As a result the person unknowingly transmits the infection to others.
Clinical Symptoms
- It presents as fever, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, upper abdominal pain and jaundice.
- In children less than 5 years, most infections result in no/mild symptoms.
- Children above 5 years (especially 10 years) are more likely to develop jaundice and it’s complications.
- Severe form of infection may lead to massive liver damage and can be fatal at times.