Hepatitis A

Question 1

How is hepatitis A spread?

Answer 1

Hepatitis A virus is spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth that has been con- taminated with the stool (feces, poop) of a person infected with hepatitis A virus.

AKA fecal-oral route

Question 2

Can hepatitis A virus be spread through sex?

Answer 2

Yes. Sex involves close, intimate contact (vaginal, anal, or oral sex) and increases the risk of exposure to hepatitis A virus in the feces of an infected person.

Question 3

Can people become chronically (life-long) infected with hepatitis A virus?

Answer 3

No

Question 4

Is there a treatment for hepatitis A?

Answer 4

No, only supportive care.

Question 5

If an unvaccinated person has had close personal contact with a person who is infected with hepatitis A virus, what should the person do?

Answer 5

Contact healthcare provider and receive immune globulin within 2 weeks following possible exposure.

Question 6

What kind of vaccine is the hepatitis A vaccine?

Answer 6

Inactivated

Question 7

How is hepatitis A vaccine administered?

Answer 7

IM

Question 8

How many doses of hepatitis A vaccine are recommended?

Answer 8

2 (second dose should be given at least 6 months following the first dose)

Question 9

When should the first hepatitis A vaccine dose be given?

Answer 9

Age 12 months

Question 10

Can a pregnant woman receive the hepatitis A vaccine?

Answer 10

Yes

Question 11

Is there a vaccine that protects against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B virus infection?

Answer 11

Yes. Twinrix is a hepatitis A and hepatitis B combi- nation vaccine manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. It was licensed for use in the United States in 2001 for people 18 years of age and older. Three doses of Twinrix are necessary for full protection against hepatitis A and hepatitis B virus infections.

Question 12

What should be done for travelers who are younger than age 12 months to protect them from hepatitis A virus infection?

Answer 12

Give immune globulin (IG)