nasty

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

Faina

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

Henry

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.

peter

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??

XXX

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

Joyce

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.

peter

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

lisa

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

Therese

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.

Bob

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.

gail

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.

Joyce

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.

Kevin

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.

Anna

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.

Anna

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

Anna

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).

Joyce

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.