Hepatitis A shot??
 

I was going to get my Hepatitis A shot before traveling to England and France until I found out the cost! Ouch! Almost 90.00 for 2 shots - I may not get it! Should I??

I have had the shot and it was not that expensive. I got it to go to So. Africa. I wouldn't think it necessary for England and France. However, if you want to take the shot it requires 2 spaced a couple months apart and then it's good for life. I got mine through the local health department that does international innoculations.

I've never heard of anybody recommending Hepatitis A vaccinations for travel to western Europe. Where, if I might ask, did you receive advice to do so?<BR><BR>Don't bother, by the way.

Unless you have some unusual risk you aren't saying, there is no higher risk of Hep A in Western Europe than the US or Canada, wherever you are. So I see no reason to get it unless a physician has recommended it for some reason specific to you (which I can't imagine but maybe there's some reason) or you're going somewhere else afterwards.

Think of it as a traveler's insurance. Any shot is cheaper then a later hospital stay. And there are Hepatitis B shots too. No Hepatitis C yet my nurse told me.

Why don't you just stay home.

One Hepatitis A shot will protect you for your upcoming trip as long as you take it 2 - 4 weeks before you go. The recommended 2nd Hepatitis A is given 6 - 12 months after the first but isn't necessary to have protection in the short term. The 2nd shot affords more permanent protection. <BR><BR>Your chance of contracting Hepatitis A in England or France is no greater than your chance of contracting it here in the US. You don't need Hepatitis A to travel to these areas.<BR><BR>If you want to take it for general protection against Hepatitis A then that's fine. If you are taking the vaccination for general protection and not just for travel I would advise you take the new combination vaccine, Twinrix, which protects against Hepatitis A & B. ( Assuming you haven't been vaccinated against Hepatitis B yet ) This vaccine is given on the same schedule as Hepatitis B, which is 0, 1 month and 6 months. That is, 3 shots over 6 months. The problem with this is that if you need quick Hepatitis A protection you may not get it with Twinrix, although by the time you complete the series you will be nicely protected. <BR><BR>For quick Hepatitis A protection take the single Hep A shot and you will be protected within the 2 - 4 weeks mentioned above.<BR><BR>

You do not need this shot for where you are travelling and taking it may not be the wisest thing to do. This is what my doctor told me.

I just asked the health department about any shots and they are the ones that said "it wouldn't hurt to get the shot" because of some foods and water, etc. My Doctor also said "it wouldn't hurt". No, I don't have any special problems at all. This cost IS at the Health Department; but I may not take it after all. I don't mind paying that much IF it is really needed; but if it's not - why do it? Thanks for the input and advise. (and Message reply to: Paul - "why don't you "kiss my butt"?)

one can run into hep A in any country as it is a food borne disease. it is passed on by fecally contaminated food-clams shellfish etc or a person with sloppy personal hygiene that handles food. it occurs world wide and since the 2 shots are highly protective it only makes sense to get it to prevent what can be a real nasty disease

Then we should all run right out and get our shots.<BR>THis is ridiculous.Of course someone will say it can't hurt,especially if that someone gets paid for it.<BR>England and France are just as safe as the US, unless your immune system is comprimised,and then this should not have even been brought up.

I took a Hepatitis A when I went to THAILAND for three weeks hiking in the northern jungles. Didn´t take B, because didn´t plan to be sexually active there.<BR><BR>Heavens, it has never occured to me that somebody would even consider it travelling to FRANCE and ENGLAND. Puh.

I don't think it DOES occur to anyone to take a Hepatitis shot to go to Europe! You don't NEED ONE!!<BR>Gawd,some people are sooooo stupid!<BR><BR>Betty,don't forget the malaria meds too.

I've read that the US gov is going to start (or already has) recommending all children be vaccinated against Hep A & B. While you don't need this to travel to Europe, in general it's not a bad idea.

They are giving young school children in Florida Hepatitus shots before they start school.<BR>Unfortunately,this is due partly to the vast amount of island immigrants that flood into Florida,bringing all sorts of disease with them.

Yes Floridian,<BR><BR>We too have all sorts of immigrants from North America flooding into Europe each summer, bringing all sorts of diseases with them, usually (confirmed by your post) foot in mouth disease.

No,I think that is Hoof & Mouth disease which you as any European should know all about.Something which we don't have so far.In addition to mad cows.Although we have our fair share of Mad Englishmen here too.

You know, some people are so mean and hateful! I have never been overseas; and therefore didn't know if I was SUPPOSE to take any shots, etc. So I called the health department because I didn't want to get at the gate to leave and find out then I didn't have something I needed. If you can't understand that, too bad! Anyway, I was told I didn't HAVE to have this shot, but it was recommended that I go ahead and get it. So I just asked everyone's opinion; but so many people have to be jerks. That is so sad.....Isn't this what this web-site is all about??? Anyway, thanks to everyone that answered like a normal human being- the rest of you must have a SAD life. I feel very sorry for you!

One more thing - ever notice that people that act like JERKS don't sign their real name! Ha Ha. Wonder why?? Don't you know YOU look like the fool - not me?? OK, I am through sounding off now!

You guys may laugh all you want (or get angry) but I know a person who got Hepatitis (I did not ask which one) in Las Vegas. Yes, in Vegas. He lives there and does not travel.

Yeah,but what was he doing in Las Vegas??? (wink)

Good question nasty! I'll let you know... if he answers ;)

Faina<BR><BR>People get Hepatitis A in evey city in the US. It's a common disease that all physicians treat. Occasionally you'll see a large outbreak that makes the news. Hepatitis A doesn't have the potential for chronicity that Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C have. Most people recover quite well from Hepatitis A and many people have had it and don't know they had it. It's an asymptomatic disease in many people, especially the young.

since any liver disease has the potential to have serious consequences why not avail yourself of a simple vaccine to prevent the possibility to prevent it. few peop;e realize that in some cases hep A can be devastating with ong term affects. its a very misunderstood disease. judging from some of the stupid replys it olny backes this up. what the hell is $90 dollars against your health??

Hepatitis A...shot?? when did this happen? Who shot him?

It is a good idea to get the shot, not just for travel, but also for your health in the USA.<BR><BR>Hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood transfusions. This could be of serious consequence if you should ever require an emergency blood transfusion. <BR>I do not think there is any country that has achieved 100% accuracy in screening its blood supply. The USA is not perfect at screening blood, and most other countries do an even worse job.<BR><BR>You are very fortunate, because a combined A/B shot is now available. Until recently, people had no choice but to take the shots separately, first going through the A-shot series, and then going through the B-shot series.

joyce a little confused. you can get the hep a or B shots in whatever order yoou want A first or last. actually the new combo is the way to go. you can also get B from unprotected sex-yes it is also a veneral disease.. because of these facts it would be wise for all travelers to get the comboA/B

So can you tell me the medical reason my doctor said I didn't need it?

The downside to Hepatitis A is that is can be pretty debilitating while you have it (though not necessarily so). You feel like crap, you turn bright yellow, etc. The upside is that is does not lead to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure (as do Hepatitis B and C). You catch Hepatitis A by the oral-fecal route, so any place with good sanitation will present minimal risk---you get it from dirty water or vegetables fertilized with human waste, etc.. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are both caught through close contact with infected persons (sexual contact, shared needles, blood transfusions, maternal-fetal). Hepatitis B (for which immunization is available, and now routinely done for children, though the value of immunizing this young is in question, given the means of transmission and the possibility that immunity may have wained by the age of sexual maturity) and Hepatitis C (no vaccine yet available, and the disease only recently characterized in any case) are both much greater health threats than Hepatitis A.<BR><BR>Think about it---have you (I'm speaking to American and western Europeans here) had Hepatitis A? Do you know anybody who's had Hepatitis A? It's just not that common in places with good sanitation. If you're going to parts of Asia or Africa where things may be a bit tenuous then it's worth getting the shot to avoid the illness. Otherwise there's no point---you won't be exposed, so you won't get it. <BR><BR>Immunization against Hepatitis B (and efforts to keep the blood supply free of both B and C) are directed at the long-term sequelae of possible chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and death. Oh, and I forgot hepatocellular carcinoma. An entirely different picture. <BR><BR>Unless you're travelling off the beaten path (I would consider some areas of eastern Europe and Russia risky, by the way) you needn't bother with the shot.

Lisa<BR><BR>Your MD may have told you not to take it, if you asked him, like the original poster did, do I need it ( being the Hep A vaccine ) to travel to Europe. The answer is no, you don't have to take it.<BR><BR>When Hep B vaccine first came out in the early 80's the only people vaccinated with it were medical personnel who worked around blood and people exposed to individuals with Hepatitis B, ie, a wife who's husband had Hep B. <BR><BR>Just a few years ago the ACIP ( Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices ) recommended that we start vaccinating all infants in the US against Hepatitis B. This is being done now. <BR><BR>Should everyone take it? Good question. If you are 75 years old, retired and not sexually active ( God Bless you if you are ), you probably don't need to take it. If you are twenty years old, sexually active, I would recommend you take it. <BR><BR>Hepatitis A vaccine just came out a few years ago. Historically Hepatitis A has not been a serious disease, in the sense that Hep B and Hep C can be. You can certainly be sick from it but most people recover just fine.<BR><BR>Just recently we got the combined Hep A, Hep B vaccine which is called Twinrix. If you are being vaccinated for either one I would take the Twinrix and go ahead and be protected against both. <BR><BR>The only scenario I would not do this would be for a traveller who comes in and is leaving for Central America in 3 weeks and wants Hep A protection. That person should take the old Hep A vaccine as it will give you protection quickly and for several years - from just the one shot. If you want longer, more permanent protection then take the second Hep A in 6 - 12 months.<BR><BR>If you can tell me exactly why you asked for the Hepatitis vaccine then I can give you a better answer as to why your MD said you don't need it.

Hepatitis A is spread by what is grossly called the fecal-oral route. Simply put, somehow sewage got into food or water supply and you ate or drank it. It can also be spread by contaminated surfaces in bathrooms, etc.<BR><BR>You can catch it anywhere, but is obviously more likely in areas with poorer sanitation. It is the kind of Hepatitis one hears about from eating "bad food" or bad shellfish". It does not kill you unless you are sick with something serious already, but can make you miserable. Incubation period is such that for a normal length vacation, you will not get sick until you get home. <BR><BR>It is currently recommended that everyone get Hepatitis A immunization.<BR>(But I haven't, and I am an RN).<BR><BR>Hepatitis B is spread by blood to blood or sexual contact. (In a somewhat similar way that the virus that causes AIDS is spread). It can kill you - sometimes in a slow and horrible way with liver disease. It takes 3 shots, spaced over 4-6 months.<BR><BR>An intersting note. When we went to Egypt last year, Hepatitis A was not on the recommended list by CDC (Centers for Disease Control) immunization list for Egypt.<BR><BR>I am surprised your health insurance does not cover it. Most health insurance even has a zero co-pay for immunizations since they figure it will ultimately save them money.

There are many people in the USA who have Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. These are not disesases people publicly announce having. If you think you know no one with these diseases, you are probably wrong.<BR><BR>Regarding the above comments about people not needing the Hepatitis B shot if they are not sexually active: Hepatitis B is also caused by blood transfusions. If you have an accident or illness requiring an emergency blood transfusion, you will be at immediate risk of getting Hepatitis B. Of course, by then it will be too late to take the vaccine.<BR><BR>I do not understand why anyone would refuse to take these shots. Most HMO's provide them for free. Even the $90 would be worth paying, considering the tremendous expense and agony these diseases cause.

Joyce<BR><BR>The incidence of contracting Hep B through the US blood supply is extremely remote. Something like 1 chance in 70,000 units of blood given.<BR><BR>I have to respectfully disagree that an older person, not sexually active with different partners, should be vaccinated. <BR><BR>That person's chances of Hep B are extremely remote.

I have traveled extensively in Europe, but I didn't get a Hepatitis A vaccine until I traveled to Thailand in January 2002. Hepatitis A is much more prevalent in the Caribbean than in Europe. One other thing, there are 2 Hepatitis A shots, VAQTA and HAVRIX. HAVRIX is made in a bovine (ie cow) broth. I opted for the non bovine VAQTA - less of a chance of contracting Mad Cow, although I realize the chance is minute anyways, but why take it when the other is available.

I have traveled extensively in Europe, but I didn't get a Hepatitis A vaccine until I traveled to Thailand in January 2002. Hepatitis A is much more prevalent in the Caribbean than in Europe. <BR><BR>The Mayo Clinic has a good overview of travelers health at their web site.<BR>http://www.mayoclinic.com/findinform...4AEA163E0F0CBE

My first post posted before I wanted it too, HAVRIX is no longer made in the bovine broth (it was when I had my injections).

In response to Kevin: I never said sexually active people should not be vaccinated. What I said was that elderly people should ALSO be vaccinated. This was in response to another writer who said the shot was not needed for older people.<BR><BR>The elderly are more likely to have accidents and more likely to become ill. Therefore they require blood transfusions more often than do young people. This puts the elderly at a higher risk for getting diseases transmitted via blood or contaminated needles. (An elderly relative of mine got AIDS this way.)<BR><BR>Blood testing is not perfect in the USA, and is worse in many other countries. There are some countries where a blood transfusion is almost a death sentence. The risk is real and significant. It is foolish to take such a risk when a vaccine is readily available.