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What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver caused by viral infection. There are five main types of hepatitis viruses: Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.
In Thailand, Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) are major public health concerns because they can lead to chronic liver inflammation, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer, which may result in serious complications and death.
Types of Hepatitis Viruses
Hepatitis A (HAV)
- Transmitted through contaminated food and water
- Usually self-limited and does not become chronic
- Preventable by vaccination
Hepatitis B (HBV)
- Transmitted through blood, bodily fluids, sexual contact, and mother-to-child transmission
- May develop into chronic infection
- Increases the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer
- Preventable by vaccination
Hepatitis C (HCV)
- Transmitted mainly through blood exposure, such as shared needles
- High risk of chronic infection
- No vaccine currently available
- Curable with modern antiviral treatment
Hepatitis D (HDV)
- Occurs only in individuals infected with HBV
- Causes more severe liver disease
- Preventable through HBV vaccination
Hepatitis E (HEV)
- Spread through contaminated food and water similar to HAV
- Usually resolves on its own
- Can be severe in pregnant women
- No widely available vaccine
Prevention
- HAV vaccination: 2 doses, 6–12 months apart
- HBV vaccination: 3 doses at 0, 1, and 6 months
- Consume properly cooked food and clean drinking water
- Wash hands before meals and after using the restroom
- Use condoms during sexual activity
- Avoid sharing needles or personal sharp items
- Infants born to infected mothers should receive vaccination immediately after birth
Should Blood Testing Be Done Before Vaccination?
Adults are recommended to undergo blood testing before vaccination to determine existing immunity or prior infection. Individuals who already have immunity may not require vaccination.
After completing the full HBV vaccination series and developing immunity, long-term protection can be achieved.
