Although the vaccine for hepatitis B is much popular, hepatitis A vaccine is also very important. Hepatitis A is a dangerous virus that causes a serious infection in the liver, which is referred to as hepatitis. So, it is very important to ensure that your teen is protected from this viral disease. this is only possible via the Hepatitis A vaccine. So, if you have any doubts in this regard, it is best to speak to a doctor or health care professional and get yourself clarified. In this article, we aim to answer or clear your maximum questions/doubts regarding the hepatitis A vaccine for teens.
About Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A reaches from one person to another via the oral and fecal ways. By this, we mean that if your teen is consuming something that is unhygienic due to the little amount of stool that is present in it along with the contained virus, your teen is at a high risk to get this disease. Now, this sounds pretty impossible and also gross, but it is possible if someone cooks the lunch that your teen is eating without washing the hands after leaving the restroom. Well, this is only an example and that the possibilities are many. Stating a real example, an epidemic of hepatitis A was seen in Pennsylvania in 2003 due to the serving of the contaminated green onions at a restaurant.
This disease is serious as it has taken away the lives of considerable amount of patients until now. as per a survey, nearly 1 out of every 3 people of all ages who are suffering from the disease needs to be hospitalized. So, how do you recognize hepatitis A? certainly, it is via its symptoms that it instills in the affected person. So, if someone is having hepatitis A might show off a myriad of symptoms like stomach pain, flu-like illness, jaundice in which the skin turns out to be yellow, and diarrhea. obviously, these symptoms are due to the Hepatitis A virus that has already entered the bloodstream.
The above facts are actually the main reasons why your teen should take the Hepatitis A vaccine.
The function of Hepatitis A vaccine
Similar to the other vaccines, the Hepatitis A vaccine safeguards an individual from the deadly virus causing hepatitis, a critical liver infection.
Eligible people for the vaccine
This vaccine is only meant for those individuals who belong to the age group of 12 months to 18 years.
Ineligible people for the vaccine
Kindly note that this vaccine is composed of alum and 2-phenoxyethanol. Therefore, if the teen is allergic or sensitive to these ingredients, ensure that your health care provider knows about it. Further, if she or he is seriously allergic to the vaccine, then completely avoid it. A critical allergy means that your teen feels difficult to breathing, has swelling in throat, feels weak or dizzy, and experiences a quick heart beat.
Brand names for vaccine
To prevent Hepatitis of the liver via the Hepatitis A virus, two hepatitis A vaccine brands are available. These are namely, Vaqta and Havrix, both of which are inactivated. By the latter term, we mean that both the vaccines contain the viruses, but they are dead and so no longer can trigger the disease or its symptoms. So, why they are included in the vaccine? they are included in the vaccine to facilitate the body to generate antibodies for combating the live virus, if it enters hence forth.
The prevention by the vaccine
Two shots of this vaccine are given to those who need it. while in children one is given after 1 year old visit and the next after an interval of 12 to 18) months, in teens; the vaccine is given directly at the office of a healthcare provider. however, the dose is dependent on the brand that is in use.Common after effects
As a matter of fact, the hepatitis A vaccine induces a few after effects. this is something that each parent should know and discuss with the doctor before taking the teen to get this vaccine. Listed below are the after effects of the hepatitis A vaccine.
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Soreness at the site of injection
- Loss of appetite
Well, these are okay to bear rather than tolerating the symptoms of hepatitis A.