Avaxim Vaccine (Hepatitis A)

Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus it is a serious disease that affects the liver. Hepatitis A can cause jaundice, diarrhea, severe stomach pain, and flu like symptoms.

Hepatitis A can be spread by

• drinking contaminated water
• eating food handled by an infected person who didn’t wash their hands properly after using the restroom
• eating raw fruit and vegetable rinsed in contaminated water
• getting a tattoo with improperly sterilized tools
• sexual contact with an infected person

The Avaxim vaccine contains an inactive hepatitis A virus which stimulates the body to produce antibodies again the virus. This immunity protects against infection by attacking the hepatitis A virus if it is encountered.

The Avaxim vaccine is recommended for the following situations:

• travel to high risk areas
• people who work directly with the virus in a lab
• people with hemophilia
• people with serve liver disease or damage
• intravenous drug users
• people who have close contact with an infected person

The vaccine begins providing protection about two weeks after it is administered.