What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. Some people show no symptoms at all while others may experience weakness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and jaundice (yellowish skin and eyes). If you are infected with hepatitis, (whether you are ill or not) you can pass the virus to others. There is no treatment for hepatitis, the body must fight the disease on it's own.

For about 10% of those who have Hepatitis A, symptoms are severe and can last for months.
Hepatitis B infection leads to death in about 1 in 100 cases. Six to ten percent of people with hepatitis B become chronic or lifetime carriers of Hepatitis B and can pass the infection to others. Carriers look healthy but many may develop cirrhosis or cancer of the liver later in life.

How are Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B spread?
Hepatitis B is spread from person to person when body fluids are passed between people. The kinds of body fluids that spread Hepatitis B are: blood, saliva, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. Hepatitis B can be spread the following ways:

• Having unprotected sex
• Sharing needles or other equipment for drug use
• Tattooing or body piercing with unsterilized equipment/ink
• From a woman to her baby during birth or while she is pregnant
• From a woman to her baby during breast feeding
• Sharing razors, nail files, or toothbrushes
• Needle stick injuries in health care workers
• Blood splashes on the eye, nose, mouth or broken skin

Hepatitis A is found in feces of infected people. It can be spread from person to person by fecal oral contact. It is also spread through contaminated water, ice, unpasteurized milk, fruit, vegetables, shellfish harvested from sewage polluted water, and any other food that was handled by an infected person.

What is the Twinrix vaccine?
Twinrix is a vaccine that provides protection from Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. The routine schedule for Twinrix is 3 doses, however, an accelerated schedule of 4 doses is an option for those with time constraints. Twinrix is recommended for anyone travelling to areas where there is a high incidence of Hepatitis A and B. Vaccination should be considered for travellers whether they are staying in resorts, middle and upper class hotels, or going off the usual tourist routs.

Who should NOT get the vaccine?

• Anyone who is allergic to neomycin, aluminum, or phenoxyethanol
• Anyone who has had a severe reaction to this vaccine, a hepatitis A vaccine or a hepatitis B vaccine in the past
• Anyone with a fever over 38.5 C (101 F)
• Anyone who is pregnant or breast feeding should speak to their health care provider prior to receiving the vaccine

Are there any side effects of the vaccine?
Although side effects are rare, the most common side effects of the vaccine are:

• Redness, soreness, and swelling at the injection site
• Other reactions may include fever, headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, joint pain, and rashes and should subside in 1 to 2 days
• Allergic reactions like hives, wheezing, swelling of the face and mouth are extremely rare, however if these symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately and let the Health Unit know about it

It is routine for you to sit and wait in the reception area for 15 minutes after receiving this vaccine. Please advise the receptionist immediately if you start to feel ill.

Contact information • Webmaster
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit Home Page
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 © Copyright/Disclaimer 2007 • Privacy Statement
In case of public emergency please call 613-345-5685 • An accredited Health Unit since 1990