SIDE EFFECTS: Pain/redness/swelling at the injection site, fever, tiredness, headache, nausea, and diarrhea may occur. Less common side effects may include bruising/itching at the injection site, sweating, dizziness, weakness, muscle/joint aches, cold symptoms, vomiting, temporary loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, constipation, swollen glands (lymph nodes), irritability, agitation, and trouble sleeping. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Report all side effects to your doctor before you receive the next injection.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fast/irregular heartbeat, fainting, severe headache (migraine).Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: tingling/numbness, inability to make muscles of the legs/arms/face work (paralysis), vision changes, seizures, easy bruising/bleeding, mental/mood changes (e.g., unusual behavior, confusion, severe drowsiness, severe tiredness, stiff neck, visual sensitivity to light).A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US, you may report side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at 1-800-822-7967. In Canada, you may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Before getting hepatitis A/B vaccine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to yeast, neomycin, formalin, or other vaccines; or if you have any other allergies. Some vials and prefilled syringes may use latex rubber stoppers or plungers. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to latex.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bleeding problems (e.g., hemophilia, low platelets, anticoagulant treatment), current illness with fever.Some brands of this product may contain a small amount of mercury from a preservative (thimerosal). Consult your doctor for more information.If you are a hemodialysis patient, you may not respond as well to the vaccine and will need to have hepatitis A or B antibody levels checked yearly. If antibodies drop too low over time, you may be given a booster vaccine.If you have decreased immune function from other medications (see also Drug Interactions) or other illness (e.g., HIV, leukemia, lymphoma, other cancer), your body may not make enough antibodies to protect you from hepatitis A or B infection. Antibody levels should be checked after the vaccine series.The elderly may not make as many antibodies to the vaccine and should have their antibody levels checked after the vaccine series.During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver due to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is usually spread by
blood transfusion, hemodialysis, and needle sticks, especially with intravenous
drug abuse. Chronic hepatitis C may be treated with interferon, usually in combination with anti-virals.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs,
are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure,
including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual
devices, such as vibrators. Women can contract all of the STDs, but may have no symptoms, or have different symptoms than men do.
The hepatitis B virus is a unique, coated DNA virus belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family of viruses. The course of the virus is determined primarily by the age at which the infection is acquired and the interaction between the virus and the body's immune system. Successful treatment is associated with a reduction in liver injury and fibrosis (scarring), a decreased likelihood of developing cirrhosis and its complications, including liver cancer, and a prolonged survival.
Hepatitis is most often viral, due to infection with one of the hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, E, F (not confirmed), and G) or another virus (such as those that cause infectious mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus disease). The main nonviral causes of hepatitis are alcohol and drugs. Many patients infected with hepatitis A, B, and C have few or no symptoms of illness. For those who do develop symptoms of viral hepatitis, the most common are flu- like symptoms including: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, weakness, tiredness, and aching in the abdomen. Treatment of viral hepatitis is dependant on the type of hepatitis.
Burns are categorized by severity as first, second, or third degree. First degree burns are similar to a painful sunburn. The damage is more severe with second degree burns, leading to blistering and more intense pain. The skin turns white and loses sensation with third degree burns. Burn treatment depends upon the location, total burn area, and intensity of the burn.
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are the two most commnon viruses that infect the liver. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B can be prevented and treated with immunizations (vaccinations) such as Havrix, Vaqta, Twinrix, Comvax, Pediarix, and hepatitis b immune globulin (HBIG).
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