HEPETITIS A & B

WHAT IS HEPETITIS A

Hepetitis A is a highly contagious disease caused by the Hepetitis A virus (HAV). It can cause debilitating liver disease. Clinical illness commonly last for about 4 weeks, but in 20 % a relapse may occur and symptoms may persist for up to 6 months.

Hepetitis A is prevalent in place with poor standard of hygiene and sanitation. As the standard of living is improving in this country and less cases are reported, there is an increased pool of non-immune population who are at risk of contracting the disease if the disease if they are exposed to the virus.

THE SYMPTOMS

At the beginning, symptoms are like those flu-fever, stomach cramps, sickness, diarrhea, tiredness, joint pain, headache and usually begin with loss of appetite, malaise, nausea, vomiting and increasing tiredness. A week later, they are followed by jaundice (yellowness) of the skin and the whites of the eyes. The symptoms can last up to six months in some individuals.

THE TRANSMISSION

It is frequently transmitted through ingestion of food (salads, fruits, other uncooked food) or drinks contaminated with small amounts of infected faecal matter. It can also be transmitted by shellfish taken from sewage-contaminated seawater, raw or partially cooked clams, oysters, cockled and mussels or by close person to person contact with infected persons.

THE PEOPLE AT RISK

• Consumers of raw and semi-cooked shellfish e.g. oysters, cockles, clam

• Food handlers

• Close contacts of infected persons, including those within families

• Those providing day care to groups of young children, the mentally and physically handicapped persons

• Sewerage workers

• Inmates in homes for the mentally retarded

• Drug abusers

• Individual with underlying chronic liver disease such as Hepetitis B or C, other non viral disease such as drug or alcoholism

• People with clotting factor disorders, haemophiliacs etc

• People working with Hepetitis A virus in an experiment lab setting

• Travelers to places with crowded, unhygienic living conditions

WHAT IS HEPETITIS B

Hepetitis B is a serious disease worldwide caused by the Hepetitis B virus (HBV). It can lead to complications including chronic Hepetitis (persistent liver inflammation), liver cirrhosis (hardening of the liver), liver failure and liver cancer.

It is spread by individuals with active disease and more significantly, by an estimated 300-350 million carriers worldwide. About 2000 million people get infected with the virus and 2 million people die each year from consequential liver disease.

THE SYMPTONS

The first symptoms are like those of flu – fever, chills, tiredness, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, aching muscles and joints. Later on, jaundice (yellowness) of the skin and whites of the eyes developed; there will also be dark urine and paleness of faeces.

Hepetitis A & B infections manifest similar symptoms in infected patients.

THE TRANSMISSION

The virus is passed through infected blood or other body fluids such as saliva, semen or vaginal secretions. The disease can therefore be contracted through the use of infected personal hygiene items. (e.g. razor blades, toothbrushes etc) or needles, or through sexual intimacy with infected person

THE PEOPLE AT RISK

• People who play contact sports and are likely to suffer cuts and abrasions

• Healthcare workers, laboratory technicians and other workers who come frequently into contact with blood or blood or blood derivatives

• People who share food with infected persons

• Sexually promiscuous youths, homosexuals, prostitutes

• Person receiving acupuncture treatment or who are having themselves tattooed

• Frequent travelers to more highly endemic areas in the region

• Babies born to carrier mothers

• Close contacts of acute Hepetitis B patients and chronic carries

• Intravenous drug abusers

DON’T TAKE CHANCES! YOU CAN NOW PREVENT BOTH OF THEM

Hepetitis A & B are vaccine preventable disease

A combined Hepetitis A & B vaccine is now available in a single administration. It is highly efficacious and well tolerated. This vaccine is indicated for use in person aged 1 year above who are not immuned to both Hepetitis A & B

It can be administered a 3 dose- schedule over a period of 6 months. This include the first dose at elected date, the second dose at 1 month later and the third dose 6^th month from the first dose

This means that you can now get double protection through a single injection

Hepetitis A & B vaccine are also available in separate injection. If you are vaccinated against Hepetitis B alone, you are not against Hepetitis A and vice versa.

Taken from: SmithKline Beecham TWN0100