Hep A vaccine

[Eman'smom]

Can we talk about the hepatisis A vaccine?

We saw a new dr. today for dd's well child check (yes I like to go to well child check up). Our old dr, who was fine with delay/sel vax has left. Anyway this guy seemed fine, yes he wanted to vax, but also said he understood that we would want to do our own research. Neither dh or I felt any pressure or negative vibes about it.

Ok now I'm coming here before doing my research But what would the "reasons" for giving it and giving it at a young age be.

As dh and I were reading the propaganda paper even that didn't sound convincing. The doctor said we should do it because 40 in 10,000 contract Hep A, now I haven't taught math in 2 years but those odds seem pretty small for the risk

On a side note, our son had some serious liver issues as a baby (before anything of any sort was or wasn't injected) and this vaccine was never mentioned, it seems that if it's so great that he would have been the kind of person who the medical community would want to have it.

[amnesiac]

I wouldn't choose to give it. Especially to a little kid.

A look at hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is the most common type of hepatitis reported in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The virus is acquired through contact with an infected person or by ingesting contaminated food or water. Good hygiene and frequent hand-washing help prevent the spread of the hepatitis A.

Infected people are most contagious the week or two before any symptoms appear. Children younger than 6 who become infected with hepatitis A usually have no symptoms at all, while older children and adults more frequently develop jaundice or flu-like symptoms. Complications are most likely to occur in older adults.

Unlike its cousin hepatitis B, hepatitis A does not cause long-term ill effects. In fact, the virus may actually be beneficial to some children. In a study published in October 2003, researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine demonstrated how the hepatitis A virus prevents the development of allergies in genetically susceptible children. “This is the first molecular explanation for how hygiene can affect allergies and asthma,” said Dale Umetsu, M.D., Ph.D., professor of pediatrics.

Since people can only get hepatitis A once, most cases occur among children and young adults. It is unknown just how long the vaccine protects from infection, so it’s possible that vaccinated children may be vulnerable later in life. This vaccine is currently only recommended for use in moderate- to high-risk locations, so check with your physician to see if it is recommended in your area.

http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/2...l-vaccines.htm

[LongIsland]

I'm not surprised by this at all! : Please read the link to my thread, "Will Hepatitis A become the next chicken pox"

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ight=hepatitis

[Eman'smom]

Thanks so much, I'm off to read the links. The new Dr said it wasn't new, yet both Dh and I were thinking if it's been around why haven't we heard about it? I mean our old dr never mentioned it, and it isn't on the "suggested" list.

[LongIsland]

Hep. A is on the childhood recommended list, but only for those in high-risk areas.

New York is not considered a high risk area, yet my pharma-money-taking legislators keep introducing bills to make Hep. A mandatory for school entry year after year. Luckily they keep getting stalled in Committee.

There are actually a few states that have Hep A on the mandatory list for school entry: Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.

[Eman'smom]

According to the CDC we are in a "high risk area" yet it still doesn't seem that widespread, also from what I've read so far, this seem to mid-mild illness without long term affects if you do contract it. It's not seeming like it's worth the risk.

[Tanibani]

I traveled to Guayaquil, Ecuador 2.5 years ago. We were in a house with a 13 yr old who had it (caught by sharing a drink with a friend at school) and had a bad year due to liver troubles. She was on some sort of medication.

I was a wreck because we were sharing a house with a kid who I thought was still infectious (she wasn't.)

Anyway, my DS is vaxxed up to 6 months and DD is not vaxxed at all.

DH (Mr.-The-Schedule-is-perfectly-fine) is demanding that I give * some * vaxxes if we go there again. I would like to go again.

Hep A does seem reasonable to me... I was shocked when I went into the public restroom and there wasn't any soap. I doubt that "vigorous" hand washing is really practiced.

So Long Island, what do you suggest in my case?

If I never traveled to Ecuador, I wouldn't personally bother with this vax.

[crazy_eights]

I had Hep A as an adult (as did my dh) and it was HORRIBLE. I was very sick for over a month and didn't feel back to myself for months. BUT - we lived in a high risk area, during an outbreak. The kids who got it hardly got sick at all. If I were to do it all over again, *I* might get vaxed (living in a high risk area), but I don't think I would give it to the kids.

[DesireeH]

My dad had it when he was a kid and he is fine now.

I am supposedly in a "high risk" area too (supposedly because we are near Mexico) but no one I know has/had Hep A (except my dad but that was way before my time) and none of us are vaccinated against it.

I would just make sure to teach our kids to wash their hands after using the restroom, etc.

[LongIsland]

Originally Posted by DesireeH

I would just make sure to teach our kids to wash their hands after using the restroom, etc.

Absolutely! I never need to tell my 8 year old to wash his hands after going to the restroom (even at home). He was warned very early on about the dangers of not washing his hands. It's just automatic -- as it should be.

It's also important to teach handwashing before eating a meal. I know it's not always possible, but it's good to get kids into that routine.

Even the CDC uses common sense sometimes. Here's a link to the CDC's "Clean Hands Saves Lives" campaign: http://www.cdc.gov/cleanhands/

[suschi]

Since young children often have little to no symptoms with Hep A (which is self limiting) they are considered "silent carriers" and THAT is why they want to vaccinate them.

I have a huge paper saved on the vax A issues but would have to PM it due to copyright issues. I have been following this Hep A vax issue for a several years now. Let me know if you want a copy.

The first Hep A vax (3 dose series was licensed in 1995 by SKB), the 2 dose series was licensed the following year by Merck.

It was first just recommended in hi risk areas, but at the last ACIP meeting in June, it was discussed that they expect to make this vax mandated for all.

VACCINE LICENSURE DATES:

http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/immunize/other_info.htm

[menudo]

I was just thinking of this myself because I was at OUTfest today in Philly (a GLBT event) just wondering about and saw a sign for free HEP A/B vaxes...it so depressed me.

[LongIsland]

Originally Posted by suschi

The first Hep A vax (3 dose series was licensed in 1995 by SKB), the 2 dose series was licensed the following year by Merck.

Merck's Hep A vaccine was just approved to lower the indication for use in age 12 months + and the GSK Hep. A vax is waiting for approval to lower the indication to age 12 months + as well. Both were previously approved for use in persons 2 years and older. Lowering the age is a very good indication of what's to come.

There is also another Hep. A vax in Phase III clinical trials.

The next Advisory Committee is being held at the end of the month. The CDC hasn't posted an agenda yet, but there's most likely going to be a recommendation and vote on this vax.

[Plummeting]

*I* would rather get the illness than the vaccine, even w/it being more serious for adults, so I definitely feel the same way for DD. When it comes to diseases that are actually hard on children, it seems logical for a parent to make the decision for the child, but when it concerns an illness that is only a problem for adults, I think the child should decide for herself when she gets older.

[suschi]

These papers indicate you would WANT your child to get measles, hep a...

Measles, hepatitis A, and tuberculosis have been associated with a decreased incidence of asthma, implying a contribution to disease prevention.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...675&query_hl=3

Puzzling associations between childhood infections and the later occurrence of asthma and atopy.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract

"There are data to suggest that measles, hepatitis A, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in early life may prevent the subsequent development of atopic diseases. The hypothesis is based on the concept that certain viral and bacterial infections, which induce a strongly polarized T helper (Th)-1 type response and a long-lasting memory immunity, are in early life able to reverse or prevent the biased Th1/Th2 balance in individuals prone to atopy and asthma. Evidence for the ability of mycobacterial infections to alter the Th1/Th2 balance has also been obtained from murine models.

In humans, the critical time period during which immunomodulation with long-lasting effects is considered most successful is within the first two years of life."

But what is happening in the first two years of our children's lives? They are being barraged with vaccines. No wonder our kids are so sick today.

[LongIsland]

Originally Posted by suschi

But what is happening in the first two years of our children's lives? They are being barraged with vaccines. No wonder our kids are so sick today.

That's right - and now that they've lowered the indication age from 2 years to 12 months, these kids are going to get hit with even more doses by the time they reach two.

[DesireeH]

these kids are going to get hit with even more doses by the time they reach two.

Poor kids. It's like their immune system is beat up from the get go and they never even have a chance at full health.

[Mommy To Baby Roni]

Tanibani, I think the best thing you could do for your child, if you are to travel to Ecuador again, would be to research what the symptoms of Hep A are and how it can be treated naturally. Not that all modern medicines are bad, but those are often the things that give us problems, such as liver trouble, not the illness itself. If you can find a naturepath or homeopath that can give you an idea of how to treat it, pack those herbal remedies and "directions" in your bag for your trip. Prior and during your trip, boost your child's immune system with vitamins and probiotics, giving her body the best chance to fight off ANYTHING that comes her way. Do the same for youself and DH. The three of you probably have more of a chance of contracting something in the airports during your travels than you do getting Hep A while in Ecaudor. Drinking some "Airborne" before getting on your flight would be a good idea, too.

As far as the handsoap goes, carry some handwashing alcohol in your purse for those times of need.