Hepatitis A (HAV), everything you need to know
The hepatitis A virus (HAV) may represent one of the most easily infectious liver viruses because a vaccine is already available to prevent it. Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. It can be very contagious, which means that the virus can easily contract from someone or infect another person. Hepatitis A is different from other types of hepatitis. In general it is not as serious as hepatitis B or C and usually does not evolve to chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis.

The symptoms of hepatitis A virus are: General malaise, tiredness, weakness, fever, nausea and vomiting, this corresponds to the prodromal phase or prior to the appearance of jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) And dark urine, can trigger true hepatitis epidemics. The most likely places for hepatitis A outbreaks are day care centers and educational units. That is why it is necessary for children to receive the hepatitis vaccine. It is important to mention that hepatitis A in Venezuela is endemic (it occurs at any time of the year), transmission is by water and contaminated food and the virus is elineated by the feces of the infected person (oral-fecal transmission)
All people who want to be immunized from this “A” hepatitis virus, we can apply the vaccine (2 doses). Nowadays, in most countries of the world, it is a duty to vaccinate children against this virus in the first year of life, but if you are an adult and you did not get vaccinated against HAV, you are still on time. Previously, this vaccine was only recommended for children and seniors who were at high risk of contracting hepatitis (such as those living in or traveling to places with high rates of hepatitis A virus infection). But now it is recommended to everyone who wants to be immune to this disease.
The appropriate age to apply the vaccine in children is between the first and second year of life (2 doses)
THE HEPATITIS A VACCINE OFFERS THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:
- Prevent your child from getting hepatitis A when he is older, when the symptoms of the disease are stronger.
- It protects others from this disease because children with hepatitis A usually do not have symptoms but pass it on to others (including their parents or caregivers who have not been vaccinated) without anyone knowing they are infected.
- Prevent your child from missing out on your day care or school (and also prevents you from dropping out to work to care for your sick child or getting sick with hepatitis A).
- It is an infection that does not present major complications, nor does it evolve to chronicity, but it is better to prevent it in time.
REMEMBER:
Immunize and immunize your family with the hepatitis A vaccine, you can save time and money, if your child is immunized, does not acquire the disease and will not miss classes or his usual activities. PREVENTION IS BETTER AND MORE ECONOMIC THAN HEALING.
