{"id":1899,"date":"2020-02-25T12:21:26","date_gmt":"2020-02-25T12:21:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imedicalsociety.org\/?p=1899"},"modified":"2020-02-25T12:21:26","modified_gmt":"2020-02-25T12:21:26","slug":"hepatitis-vaccination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imedicalsociety.org\/hepatitis-vaccination\/","title":{"rendered":"Hepatitis vaccination"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hepatitis Vaccination<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Hepatitis vaccination<\/strong> protects against certain forms (9<\/a>) of virus-induced liver inflammation (viral hepatitis) (6<\/a>). It enables the own immune system (10<\/a>) to react effectively to an infection with the relevant pathogens (8<\/a>). Hepatitis vaccination is only possible against hepatitis A (5<\/a>) and B (1<\/a>). No vaccine is available against hepatitis C (4<\/a>) or E (3<\/a>) and other forms of viral hepatitis (2<\/a>). It is a communicable disease (11<\/a>) and vaccination is mandatory in many cases for children (12<\/a>), adolescents (13<\/a>) and travelers (14<\/a>), but some workers are currently allowed to reject vaccination (7<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Learn more about the hepatitis vaccination here. ICD codes for this condition are K73, <\/span>B19, <\/span>B18, <\/span>K75, <\/span>B16, <\/span>B17, and <\/span>B15<\/span><\/p>\n

\"hepatitis<\/p>\n

What is the hepatitis vaccine?<\/h2>\n

There are different forms of viral hepatitis: hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Currently only hepatitis vaccinations against hepatitis A and B<\/strong> are available. There are single vaccinations (hepatitis A vaccination, hepatitis B vaccination) as well as a combined hepatitis A and B vaccination.<\/p>\n

Depending on the principle of action, experts distinguish between active and passive hepatitis vaccination<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Active vaccination<\/h3>\n

Active hepatitis vaccination involves injecting components of hepatitis A or B viruses into the upper arm muscle. This stimulates the immune system to produce specific antibodies against the respective pathogen. If a “real” infection with the relevant viruses occurs later, the antibodies intercept them. In this way, an outbreak of disease can be prevented.<\/p>\n

The vaccine used in active hepatitis vaccination is a so-called dead vaccine. The virus components contained in the product cannot cause disease but only trigger<\/a> the immune system.<\/p>\n

After the administration of the active hepatitis vaccine, it takes some time for the immune system to produce specific antibodies. The vaccination protection is therefore not given immediately. In return, it will remain in place for years.<\/p>\n

Passive vaccination<\/h3>\n

The passive hepatitis vaccination consists of ready-to-use antibodies<\/strong> against the hepatitis virus in question. They are usually obtained from the blood of infected patients and highly purified to produce a hepatitis vaccine.<\/p>\n

The passive hepatitis vaccination provides immediate vaccination protection. However, this only lasts for a few weeks – until the body has broken down the administered (foreign) antibodies. Passive hepatitis vaccination is therefore suitable for people who have recently had contact with patients and may have become infected (post-exposure prophylaxis<\/strong>). At the same time, they are given the first dose of the active hepatitis vaccine (a single vaccine, not the combined hepatitis A and B vaccine). Until this takes effect, the vaccinated subject is largely protected from infection<\/a> thanks to passive immunization.<\/p>\n

Passive hepatitis vaccination can also be useful before traveling to countries with an increased incidence of hepatitis if there is not enough time for active immunization.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

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Hepatitis A vaccination<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hepatitis A vaccination is administered intramuscularly, i.e. injected into a muscle. Usually, the doctor chooses the upper arm muscle for this.<\/p>\n

Hepatitis A vaccination: Who should be vaccinated?<\/h3>\n

The Standing Vaccination Commission recommends hepatitis A vaccination only as an indication vaccination for certain risk groups<\/strong>. These include:<\/p>\n