Hepatitis A for Costa Rica
 

Mom freaking out here! My husband and our 18 y/o daughter are going to CR on May 19th for a week. I never gave a single thought to vaccinations until tonight. As a matter of fact, my daughter had to get a meningetis vaccine a few months ago and the doctor even asked what her plans were for the summer. When she said CR, the doctor never mentioned vaccines. Now I just discovered they should have gotten a Hep A vaccine last week at the latest. Ugh! They are going to the typical touristy areas. I know some don't get shots at all. Is it worth the risk or should we cancel?

Don't cancel. Check with your doctor. They may already be covered with the Hep A vaccine. Even if they aren't, I would not cancel.

Thanks! I will definitely be calling on Monday morning. In the meantime, I will be smacking myself upside the head for not thinking about this before now.

I wouldn't cancel. I'd probably go ahead and get the first injection of the series. If they haven't already been vaccinated against Hepatitis B, I'd get that as well. For persons 18 and over, there's a combination vaccine called Twinrix.

They should have some partial protection, even getting vaccinated at this relatively late date.

Another option to discuss with your physician would be Hepatitis A immune globulin. Gives short term protection against the disease.

But, do speak with a physician who is knowledgeable about travel medicine, or contact a travel clinic.

I would not cancel. Most people I know/have met there do not get the vaccine and you're going to the normal tourist areas.

Hep A & B for everyone-especially travelers. My primary gave me series years ago since we travel a lot.

Anyone know how long the Hep vaccines are good for? I've found multiple answers online. My daughter is up to date with all her vaccines and she will be leaving on this trip the day after turning 18. Maybe she still has some protection?? I will ask the doctor when I call tomorrow. Not sure how well versed this doctor is on vaccines for travel.

I don't think it's standard to have the Hep A and B vaccines. We only got the Hep shot because we told our doctor we were traveling to CR and to Belize. You get the first shot and have a follow-up shot six months later. He said the first shot gives you a degree of protection though and said that anyone traveling to Central or South America should have it. Given that, we made several trips to CR before we had the vaccine and never had any problems.

I live in Iowa. Kids can't start school here without being vaccinated against Hepatitis B. The first dose is usually given in the newborn nursery, before the infant even goes home.

Hepatitis A is not required in Iowa. However, it's a recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics, first dose at 12 months, second dose 18 months of age (or a bit later).

Hepatits B is a series of there injections.

I've been retired a few years, but, when I did retire, Hepatitis vaccines were considered 'good for life'. I wouldn't be surprised to see this change though.

Should mention that the vaccine we got was for Hep A - the one spread via contaminated food or water. It's my understanding that Hep B is usually spread through blood, sexual contact, etc. i.e. bodily fluids.

Pennsylvania also requires the Hep B vaccine before children can start school. It pays to have the Hep A vaccine no matter where you are going. Food can be contaminated anywhere.

Yes, just in case you have a Dirty Monkey!

Completely ignore everything posted above and look at the CDC website and talk to a travel medical professional.

Michelle.....still love those Dirty Monkeys!!

Well, I guess we are going to take our chances. Our regular doctor was useless. I called the health department. My daughter did have Hep A and B as a toddler. They said she "could possibly" still be protected. That's reassuring..... not! Anyway, she is actually under the weather at the moment with a cold and low grade fever. She would have to wait a few days to get the shot and we are cutting it too close to assure protection.


My husband travels to Mexico for work and it isn't a touristy area. He has never had travel vaccinations so he isn't worried for himself.


Next time I will have to plan better. Hopefully it works out and they don't get sick. They arent roadside stand eaters and they aren't heading off the beaten path. While that doesn't guarantee anything, it will help. I will just worry the entire time!

Don't worry. They will be fine :) Sending reassuring hugs for mom!

For the most part, Costa Rica is a very clean country. I've gotten sick several times in Mexico but never in CR.

After spending some time looking through immunization sites on the internet, I can find NONE that recommend booster immunizations for Hepatitis A, assuming the initial series was completed.

Your daughter will be fine. She is fully immunized against Hepatitis A. (and Hepatitis B)

As for your husband, Hepatitis A is endemic in all of Mexico and Central America. That means it's always around. It's easily spread via contaminated food. No matter how meticulous his personal hygiene is, he's only as safe as the hygienic practices of those preparing and serving his food.

How 'clean' Costa Rica seems has nothing to do with it.

The restaurants we've visited have standards for cleanliness, hand washing, etc. It's relevant because Hep A is spread via fecal oral contamination.

You can also contract Hep A right here in the good old USA.