Should i get my hepatitis vaccines?!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

I've taken them 3 times over the last 10 year. I haven't felt any side effects.

P.s. : I am NOT a doctor. From the point of view of someone who took them. Consult your doctor for specific learned opinions

I would definately get the vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C but you can get Hepatitis A and/or B vaccines. The Hepatitis A vaccine is given in two doses - the Hepatitis B vaccine is given in three doses. There is also a combination vaccine for both Hepatitis A & B and is given in three doses. There are little to no side effects for most people. I received the Twinrix vaccine (combination A & B) and had no problem whatsoever.

1.There is NO available vaccine against Hepatitis C- which accounts for about 90 percent of the cases of what is called parenteral hepatitis- i mean hepatitis transmitted by either infected blood products, unsafe sex with carriers or intravenous drug abuse.Avoiding these way of exposure is the mainstay of prevention- when it comes to Hepatitis C-which carries the risk of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
2There is a genetically engineered vaccine against Hepatitis B-and it's intended first and foremost for those people mainly at risk:health care workers, law enforcement workers, people working in nursing homes etc.Anyway- as the ways of transmission are identical to those for Hepatitis B- and the risks the infection carries- are identical- as well- it's highly important to observe the ways of prevention- including safe sex...and getting the vaccine- which consists of 3 doses - given at time0 - after 1 month and 5 months thereafter... it has no noticeable side effects... and as I said- it's worth a lot...I got it in 1993 - and then some booster in 1998...
I can't forget the message of some poster about this topic- poster that read:''There is one place where you can get hepatitis.Everywhere''
3.Viral Hepatitis A- unlike the two abovementioned is transmitted by contaminated food and water. It may be very invalidant in the short run- but NEVER converts into a chronic infection... It's completely cured by supportive treatment- rest, dietary food etc- which is the general rule... in a minority of cases- few percents- it may turn into a fulminant infection-= which means a super-acute liver failure- which may be life-threating and mandate liver transplantation...
Ways of prevention of hepatitis A- are observing rules of hygiene- water and soap, for personal use- and thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables...and avoiding use of alterated, infected food...
there is a readily available vaccine- genetically engeneered- too- it's given in two doses- at time0 and at between 6 months to one year thereafter... it's recommended for travelers to some endemic areas- such as Africa, South-East Asia etc.
Cured Hepatitis A- confers life-long immunity- reinfection is highly unlikely - at least in non- endemic areas...asymptomatic- unnoticed infections are frequent- but the asymptomatic infections who are really to be feard are those by Hepatitis B and C- respectively- se above why... as they may pass nearly unnoticed at the time of the first exposure= no jaundice' little abdominal pain' weakness etc.

I am a Family Physician- living and working i Israel..good health...

There are very few side effects to this vaccine and whomever told you this was incorrect. If you have any exposure to blood or body fluids as part of your work, you need these injections.

Health care provider

Unless your pregnant ;), there aren't any good reasons as to why you shouldn't get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B.

No vaccination is available for hepatitis C.

There is no vaccine for hepatitis c, but I would recommend that you get the vaccinations for hepatitis A and B.