Getting the Hepatitis A vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from the virus. After vaccination, or becoming infected with the virus, your body develops antibodies that protect you in the future.

The Hepatitis A vaccine can be administered in two different ways.

–          The Hepatitis A vaccine is given as 2 shots, being 6 months apart.

–          The combination Hepatitis A and B vaccine is given as 3 shots, over a 6 month period. Persons 18 years or older can receive this vaccine.

Hepatitis A is considered the least severe virus of the Hepatitis family and most people who acquire the Hepatitis A virus recover. This virus, however, can cause liver failure and death for people who are 50 years of age or older and have other existing liver diseases such as Hepatitis B and C.

This virus is spread when a person ingests stool or fecal matter of an infected person. To reduce the chances of contracting this virus, a person should practice safe food handling, wash hands frequently and thoroughly, and adequately sanitize and disinfect surfaces.

For a listing of Multi-Clean liquid disinfectants or disinfecting wipes that are effective on Hepatitis A, please visit Multi-Clean’s Infection Control webpage.

For more information about Hepatitis A, check out the Hepatitis A Infection & Disease, or the CDC webpage.