Ultima Medical

Each summer many Canadians travel with family and friends on vacation. This is usually a time to relax and enjoy a little time away from the daily routine. While on vacation very few people consider the risks associated with travelling to different countries, never mind the thought of contracting a disease such as hepatitis A or B.

Hepatitis A and B are serious liver diseases with potentially serious consequences. Hepatitis A and B are common infections in many parts of the world where sanitation and sewage infrastructure is poor. Often people become infected by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Of course, contracting such diseases are not necessarily limited to other countries, but can be contracted by other such means at home through unprotected sexual contact and through activities that can cause skin perforation with contaminated tools, including manicures, pedicures, body piercings and tattoos. It is estimated that thousands of individuals contract hepatitis A each year and reports suggest that there are approximately 250,000 Canadians with chronic hepatitis B. Both hepatitis A and hepatitis B can result in serious illness. The signs and symptoms of hepatitis may include: jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), fatigue, fever, nausea and vomiting and diarrhea.To help reduce your risk of contracting hepatitis, it is important to adopt healthy hygiene practices such as washing your hands before preparing or eating foods and avoid sharing grooming products. Getting vaccinated against both hepatitis A and B is the best way to help protect yourself against these liver diseases and it is as easy as visiting your local travel clinic. Infants and children are vaccinated for hepatitis A and B but as adults we tend to forgot about the need and leave ourselves susceptible.Twinrix® vaccine is the only combination vaccine that protects against both hepatitis A and B. It also provides long-term protection of at least 15 years when all scheduled doses are administered. The Twinrix® vaccine helps your body produce the specific antibodies that prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B virus infection. It is usually given between two weeks to four weeks before departure. A booster should be given 6-12 months later to confer long-term immunity. The side-effects of Twinrix® are generally mild and may include soreness at the injection site, headache, and malaise.The Vancouver Airport Clinic is available to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding the proper vaccinations for travel. June 2010 will be vaccine awareness month and the Vancouver Airport Clinic will be offering discounts on Twinrix® vaccinations to promote the health and safety of our community. Travel consultations and risk assessments along with most vaccines are not covered by the provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP).To book a travel appointment please call (604) 207-6900 or visit us on the lower level of the Domestic Terminal.