Hepatitis A and B
Hepatitis A and B Vaccine for Travel
What is Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B?
Both Hepatitis A and B are contagious liver infections caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). They can cause similar symptoms but are transmitted in different ways and affects the liver differently too.
Hepatitis A can cause an acute infection that most usually recovers completely without lasting liver damage. Hepatitis A is commonly transmitted through contaminated food, water, or objects that have been in contact with infected feces.
Hepatitis B can cause acute or chronic infection, with chronic infection dramatically increasing the risk of liver cancer and other severe liver diseases. Hepatitis B can be transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids, such as blood and semen, or from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth.
How to Prevent Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B?
Prevention of Hepatitis A includes practicing good hygiene such as washing hands thoroughly before eating or handling food, using safe drinking water sources, avoid ice cubes in drinks, not eating unpeeled fruits or vegetables, and to eat foods that are well-cooked.
In addition to vaccination, prevention of Hepatitis B includes avoiding unprotected sex, using sterile needles or syringes when necessary, and avoiding sharing items such as toothbrushes and razors where contact with blood or open sores can occur.
Is Hepatitis A and B (Combined) Vaccine Necessary?
Vaccination is the best preventative measure against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B transmission for individuals at risk of exposure. The HepA-HepB vaccine provides protection against both Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.
The combined Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for various groups, including individuals at increased risk of exposure to both viruses, healthcare workers, travelers to endemic areas, people who engage in unprotected sex, people with chronic liver disease, people who use drugs, and others based on specific risk factors.
To find out if your destination(s) require the Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccine, consult a Rockdoc Travel Medicine Professional here.
We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the provided information, however, it is not feasible for us to update daily. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our Travel Medicine Professionals for current, personalized advice and answers to any questions you may have.
Is Hepatitis A Serious Disease?
Symptoms of Hepatitis A include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
- Loss of appetite
- Dark urine
Hepatitis A symptoms can range from mild to severe, but most individuals recover fully within a few weeks to months and require no treatments.
In rare cases, people may experience prolonged symptoms or life-threatening complications such as liver failure.
Is Hepatitis B Serious Disease?
Symptoms of Hepatitis B include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Light coloured stool
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
- Loss of appetite
- Joint pain
- Fever
Hepatitis B symptoms can range from mild to severe. In some cases, people infected with HBV may not have any symptoms at all.
However, untreated hepatitis B can lead to life-threatening conditions such as liver failure or liver cancer.
Available travel vaccinations and medications
We offer the following travel vaccinations and medications:
- Tick-borne Encephalitis
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We know how hard it can be for Canadians to get the healthcare they need, when they need it. That’s why Rockdoc is on a mission to help Canadians navigate healthcare. We have decades of experience providing emergent, urgent, and continuing healthcare services and solutions – meeting and exceeding the standard of care for our patients and our communities.
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