Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are two of the most common vaccine-preventable infectious diseases that affect international travelers. Both can cause serious illness, but they are transmitted differently, affect the body differently, and require somewhat different vaccination approaches. Encino Commons Urgent Care and Encino Town Medical Group provides hepatitis A and B vaccinations as part of comprehensive pre-travel health services for patients throughout the Encino area and San Fernando Valley.
Hepatitis A: Transmission, Risk, and Vaccination
What Is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious viral infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A does not cause chronic infection—but it can cause significant acute illness lasting weeks to months, and rarely, it can be fatal in older adults and those with underlying liver disease.
How Is Hepatitis A Transmitted?
Hepatitis A is transmitted through the fecal-oral route—most commonly through consuming contaminated food or water. It is endemic in countries with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. Travelers who consume food from street vendors, drink tap water, eat raw shellfish, or have ice in their drinks in high-risk countries are at elevated risk. Hepatitis A can be transmitted despite careful food and water precautions, making vaccination the most reliable protection.
Who Should Get the Hepatitis A Vaccine?
The CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for all unvaccinated travelers to any destination outside of the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. This recommendation covers the vast majority of international travel destinations, including all of Central and South America, Mexico, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
Hepatitis A Vaccine Schedule
The standard hepatitis A vaccine schedule is a two-dose series: the first dose provides protection within two to four weeks of administration; the second dose (given six to twelve months after the first) provides lifelong protection. A combination hepatitis A and B vaccine (Twinrix) is also available for patients who need both vaccines, given as a three-dose series.
For travelers with short lead times before departure, a single dose of hepatitis A vaccine provides meaningful protection for the duration of the trip. The second dose should be completed upon return.
Hepatitis B: Transmission, Risk, and Vaccination
What Is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a potentially serious viral infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Unlike hepatitis A, hepatitis B can cause both acute and chronic infection—chronic hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer over time.
How Is Hepatitis B Transmitted?
Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child at birth. Travelers are at risk through:
- Receiving medical or dental procedures abroad where infection control standards may be lower
- Blood transfusions or medical procedures using unscreened blood products
- Sexual activity with new partners
- Tattooing or body piercing in facilities with inadequate sterilization
- Sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia
Who Should Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine?
The CDC recommends hepatitis B vaccination for all unvaccinated adults, regardless of travel. For travelers specifically, hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for:
- Any travel to countries with moderate to high hepatitis B endemicity—which includes most of the developing world
- Travelers who may receive medical or dental care abroad
- Travelers who may engage in sexual activity with new partners
- Extended-stay travelers
Hepatitis B Vaccine Schedule
The standard hepatitis B vaccine series is three doses given over six months (0, 1, and 6 months). An accelerated schedule (0, 7, and 21 days) is available for travelers with limited time before departure, with a booster dose given one year later. The combination hepatitis A/B vaccine (Twinrix) is a convenient single-product option for travelers who need both.
Checking Your Vaccination History
Many adults are uncertain whether they have been previously vaccinated against hepatitis A or B. A blood test (serology) can determine whether you have immunity from prior vaccination or past infection. If your vaccination history is unclear, our providers may recommend completing the vaccine series regardless—the vaccines are safe to administer to previously immune individuals.
Encino Commons Urgent Care provides hepatitis A and B vaccinations and comprehensive travel health services to patients in Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, and the surrounding San Fernando Valley. Schedule your pre-travel appointment before your next international trip.