| Show Risk of Hepatitis A The The- Human Side SideBy By Connie r King PA Redwood I Health Center With summer travel looming in the not too distant future information on the the new Hepatitis A virus immunization immunization tion might be important for some trav trav- elers The new vaccine provides provides provides pro pro- vides pre-exposure pre protection from infection by the Hepatitis A virus This new vaccine is recommended for people who are at increased risk of infection and wishing to obtain 1 SR i. i t Hepatitis A is an infection of the i r liver that is primarily passed by fecal- fecal oral contact through blood and possibly possibly possibly bly secretions oral Fecal-oral contact quite literally translates to improper hand washing after using the bathroom or food and water contamination in underdeveloped countries Hepatitis A is most communicable before the infected person actually has symptoms of the disease This is what happens when a food handler becomes ill with Hepatitis A. A Then there are other cases of infection associated with the eating establishment where that person works Therefore in the M future food handlers may be required to have the immunization series Blood transmission of the infection seems to be only during the acute phase of the infection Therefore the Health Department identifies men who have sex with men and illegal- illegal drug users as being at risk Those people traveling or residing in countries that have a high incidence of Hepatitis A infections are at increased risk Immunization with the new vaccine four weeks prior to departure is advised For frequent travelers or residents a second dose in 6 to 12 months will confer long term protection The frequency ency of any large numbers numbers numbers num num- bers of Hep Hepatitis titis A infections associated ed with day care centers hospitals and institutions is not felt to be high enough to warrant routine vaccination of people in these settings Health Departments in the state of Utah report approximately 85 to 90 cases of Hepatitis A infections a month The majority of them are in Salt Lake Davis and Weber counties Many of these cases are imported by resident travelers or immigrants from high incidence areas If you have been exposed to Hepatitis A the Health Department or your Health Care Provider would give a different injection to give temporary passive protection against infection provides active long term immunity The Salt Lake City County Health Department Travel Immunization Clinic offers immunizations required for travel The Hepatitis A immunization tion is available for 55 Call 2813 for information or an appoint appoint- ment This will be the last Health Center article this quarter Have a good quarter quarter quarter ter break and this summer we will address Hepatitis B infection and immunization |
