JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
Hepatitis A and B are viral diseases that can cause long-term damage to your liver. Fortunately, vaccines are available that lower your risk of infection if you are at risk.
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus, or HAV. Hepatitis A virus can infect anyone, but vaccines are available for long-term protection in persons 1 year of age and older. Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation can also help prevent the spread of hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A is most often spread by the fecal-oral route (an object contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A is put into another person's mouth), or by swallowing food or water that contains the virus.
Hepatitis A vaccine is routinely recommended for all children and adolescents. It is also recommended for people who are at increased risk for infection, such as persons traveling to countries with high rates of hepatitis A, infants (aged 6-11 months) traveling outside the United States, persons aged 1 year or older infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), persons with chronic liver disease, pregnant women with increased risk for HAV infection during pregnancy, persons aged 1 year or older at risk for HAV infection during hepatitis A outbreaks, and persons providing services to adults in which a high proportion of persons have risk factors for HAV infection.