Hepatitis A Prevention
Hepatitis A is a virus that infects and inflames the liver. It is contracted from food and water that is contaminated with fecal matter, or from contact with someone who is already infected. Patients with hepatitis A will experience tiredness, nausea, abdominal discomfort, fevers, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Symptoms will typically go away after a short period of time. Hepatitis A does not typically cause long-term or permanent liver damage. In very rare cases, hepatitis A can lead to a loss of liver function.
Although good hygiene can protect against hepatitis A, the best way to protect against the virus is to get a vaccination. EZCare Medical Clinic provides a hepatitis A vaccination to children over the age of two and to adults. It is administered in one primary dose and a second booster dose 6 months later.
Hepatitis B Prevention
The hepatitis B virus, which causes a serious liver infection, is usually contracted through exposure to infected bodily fluids. Hepatitis B can easily be avoided with a vaccination. There are two forms of hepatitis B. Acute hepatitis B will affect patients for a brief period of time, who will shortly get better. Chronic hepatitis B causes a long-term infection, and can eventually cause damage to the liver, liver cancer, or scarring. Acute hepatitis B commonly affects adults and chronic hepatitis B commonly affects children and infants.
Symptoms may not always develop and will vary. The most common symptoms are yellowing of the eyes, abdominal pain, and dark urine.
The hepatitis B vaccine will protect against the virus. It is administered in one primary dose and two booster doses to adults over the age of 20 and to healthy children and young adults between 18 months and 20 years of age.