hep A shot question

Dear Folks, I am travelling to see my family soon and just found out that one of the family member is currently having  hep A acute / jaundice.

I always thought I have Hep A and B immunity but when I check the old lab result, I only found immunity result for Hep B only. Does anyone know how hep A results are reported on the paper?

I have just finished my 24wks tx and feeling pretty weak.. I am travelling in two days. Is it still advisable to take the shot on the flight day or would that be too late to be effective for next a few weeks? I'll be with them for two weeks.
Thanks.

[HectorSF]

In the future if you have questions about HAV please post your questions about HAV on the Hepatitis A Community.

Approximately 50% of the adult population have antibodies to hepatitis A virus due to previous infection. IgG antibody to HAV usually persists for lifetime, conferring immunity to further hepatitis A infections. Because of the high cost of the vaccine, some physicians prefer to test for hepatitis A antibody to assess the need for vaccination. A test for total hepatitis antibody (IgG and IgM) should be ordered. If this test is positive and the person does not have any signs or symptoms of acute hepatitis, it can be assumed that they have protective levels of hepatitis IgG antibody.

The hepatitis A vaccine  offers excellent protection against HAV. The vaccine is safe and highly effective. Vaccination consists of 2 doses of vaccine (shots) spaced 6-12 months apart. Protection starts 1-2 weeks after the first dose of vaccine, and lasts for 20 years to life after 2 doses.

Preventing HAV
Infection HAV infection is preventable! Here's how you do it:

* Get an immune globulin (IG) shot. An IG shot can provide temporary immunity to the virus for 2 to 3 months when given prior to exposure to HAV or within 2 weeks after exposure.
* Ask for the HAV vaccine. The HAV vaccine, made from inactive hepatitis A virus (synthetic), is highly effective in preventing the hepatitis A infection. Check with your doctor to determine how many shots you need. The vaccine provides protection for about four weeks after the first injection; a second injection protects you longer, possibly up to 20 years.

Hectorsf

[HectorSF]

On my lab results it says "HAV Antibody, total POS". Showing that I have been exposed to hepatitis A and am now immune.

hectorsf

[mk_]

Thanks for the response and good informations. I guess what I meant to ask was exposing to the risk of having hep A infection during and immediate post hep C treatment.

Hep A doesn't cause chronic infection and normally I wouldn't  be concerned much (relatively speaking regarding other two, B and C .) I was wondering how it would effect the treatment and TX outcomes.

If vaccine  protection kicks in only after 4 weeks after the first injection, it wouldn't make much sense to take the shot now to get the next 2 weeks protection? Or the immunity increase gradually after taking the shot?

[Marcia2202]

I would definitely get the shot before  going. Ask your doctor how fast it works. You do NOT want to get hep A at this time!!!

It's difficult to find a direct answer to your question, but check this out

http://www.vaccineinformation.org/hepa/qandavax.asp

[HectorSF]

I think you misunderstood the above info.

* An IG shot can provide temporary immunity to the virus for 2 to 3 months when given prior to exposure to HAV or within 2 weeks after exposure.

* The HAV vaccine provides protection for about four weeks after the first injection. PROTECTION STARTS 1-2 weeks after the first dose of vaccine. So it worth getting.

Get on or the other. IG will protect you during your trip.
Have HAV on top of HCV increases the damage to your liver. So it is not something you want to risk.

hectorsf

[mk_]

I will check with  my doc and get the shot.  many thanks as always.
-mk