Get your Hepatitis A Vaccine in Coventry
Get your Hepatitis A Vaccine in Coventry from Ringwood Pharmacy. Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver. It’s transmitted by direct contact with the infected person or through contaminated water and food. Human faeces mainly contaminate food or water.
Hepatitis A is not common in the UK. Most cases occur in travellers who have recently travelled to countries where the disease is widespread.
Red listed areas of the infection include countries with low income with relatively poor hygiene practices and poor sanitary conditions.
Areas with high infection levels include low-income countries that may have relatively poor sanitary conditions and hygiene practices. These areas include Sub- Saharan and North Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, and parts of the Far East, South and Central America.
Travellers who are at a higher risk of acquiring hepatitis A include:
- Those who stay with or visit the local people
- Long-stay and frequent travellers to high-risk areas
- People with existing medical conditions like liver disease or haemophilia
- Men who engage in sex with men
- Those who take drugs
- Anyone who may be exposed to the virus through their work
- Those going to areas of hepatitis A outbreaks
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A
Young children often experience mild or no symptoms. However, the disease advances in seriousness as they grow. Full recovery can take weeks or even months. Immunity is lifelong following hepatitis A illness. Common symptoms include dehydration, weakness, nausea, and vomiting, loss of appetite, tiredness, diarrhoea, headache, and fever. Yellowing of the skin (Jaundice) usually takes place about a week later.
Prevention
Travellers commonly acquire this condition through the consumption of contaminated food or water. The risk of getting hepatitis A can be minimised by making sure personal hygiene and prevention advice is adhered to.
Hepatitis A vaccine
If you intend to travel to areas where hepatitis A is common, we have several effective inactivated hepatitis A vaccines for you. Some of these vaccines are mixed with either typhoid or hepatitis B.
How long does a vaccine protect you?
A complete course of hepatitis A vaccine can protect you for at least 25 years and is probably indefinite. Nevertheless, Public Health of England recommends that until more evidence is found on the persistence of protective immunity, anyone at risk of acquiring hepatitis A should get a booster dose after 25 years. An earlier booster may be recommended for individuals with altered immune responses.
Book your Hepatitis A vaccine in Coventry online or call us.
