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Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus, which is usually contracted by consuming food or drink contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. It is most common in countries with poor sanitation. The hepatitis B virus, on the other hand, is spread through blood and sexual contact, and is more likely to become a long-term infection in children. Both hepatitis A and B can cause muscle or joint pain, but this pain is usually not long-term as hepatitis A typically passes within a few months, and most adults infected with hepatitis B recover within a few months. Shingles, on the other hand, is a painful rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which can cause long-term nerve pain, even after the rash has healed.
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What You'll Learn
Hepatitis A symptoms and long-term effects
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It is usually spread when an uninfected person consumes food or water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. It can also be transmitted through close personal contact, such as sex or kissing if there is anal contact or bleeding in the mouth. The virus can live in the blood and faeces of infected individuals.
Symptoms of hepatitis A typically appear between two to six weeks after infection. This is the incubation period, during which the virus replicates in the body. When the virus has replicated enough, the immune system launches an attack, causing symptoms. Hepatitis A usually causes mild symptoms, including:
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Mild fever
- Muscle or joint aches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Belly pain
- Dark urine
- Light-coloured stools
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Itchy feeling
- Mental changes, such as confusion or coma
- Bleeding inside the body
Most people recover from hepatitis A within two months. However, those with weakened immune systems may take longer to recover, up to six months. Although rare, hepatitis A can lead to fulminant hepatitis (acute liver failure), which is often fatal.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for hepatitis A. Management focuses on supportive care, including ensuring adequate hydration and nutrition. Hospitalization is typically unnecessary unless severe disease or acute liver failure develops. Improved sanitation, food safety, safer sex practices, and immunization are the most effective ways to combat hepatitis A. Several injectable inactivated hepatitis A vaccines are available and are safe and effective in preventing the disease.
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Hepatitis B and D vaccines and side effects
Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease, and immunization is recommended for all newborn babies, infants, children, and adolescents up to 19 years of age. It is also advised for adults in high-risk areas or those with an increased risk of infection. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women and does not contain any human blood or blood products. The PREHEVBRIO vaccine is also suitable for people allergic to yeast.
Some people may experience side effects after receiving the hepatitis B vaccine. These can include joint pain, fever, or skin rashes, and may occur days or weeks after vaccination. These side effects are typically mild and do not require medical attention. However, severe or concerning side effects should be reported to a healthcare provider and can be submitted to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
Hepatitis D, also known as HDV, is considered a "satellite virus" as it can only infect individuals already infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). There is currently no vaccine specifically for hepatitis D. However, vaccination against hepatitis B also provides protection against hepatitis D. People infected with both HBV and HDV are at risk of severe symptoms, rapid progression of liver fibrosis, and increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver-related death.
Risk factors for hepatitis D include similar factors to hepatitis B, such as injection drug use, sexual contact with an infected person, and hemodialysis. The global prevalence of hepatitis D is estimated to affect nearly 5% of people with chronic HBV infections. While hepatitis D is uncommon in the United States, it is more prevalent in certain regions, including Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and specific areas in Africa and South America.
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Hepatitis B and long-term infections
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that causes inflammation and attacks the liver. It is contagious and can be spread through contact with infected bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, vaginal fluids, and semen. Transmission can also occur through needlestick injuries, tattooing, piercing, sharing needles, syringes, or sharp objects, as well as from mother to child during birth.
Hepatitis B can be either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Acute hepatitis B may last up to six months, during which the infected individual can spread the virus. Symptoms of acute hepatitis B include fever, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, mild fever, muscle or joint aches, nausea, vomiting, and dark urine. Most people recover from acute hepatitis B, but it can lead to liver failure and death in severe cases.
Chronic hepatitis B is a long-term infection that can develop from acute hepatitis B, especially when transmitted during infancy or childhood. It can be asymptomatic or show mild symptoms similar to acute hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis B is a lifelong condition with no cure, and individuals with this condition are contagious for life. Medications can help manage the virus and prevent its spread. However, without treatment, chronic hepatitis B can lead to progressive liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 254 million people worldwide are living with hepatitis B, with the highest burden of infection in the WHO Western Pacific Region and the WHO African Region. A vaccine is available and effective in preventing hepatitis B infection, offering nearly 100% protection.
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Hepatitis A vaccine side effects
Hepatitis A vaccines are generally safe and effective at preventing hepatitis A infections. However, like any medicine, there is a small chance of side effects occurring. These side effects are usually mild and last for about 1-2 days.
The most common side effects include soreness, redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site. Other common side effects are fever, headache, fatigue, drowsiness, irritability, and loss of appetite. In children, loss of appetite, fussiness, and drowsiness are more frequently observed.
Some less common side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness, muscle aches, joint pain, and chills. More serious reactions are rare but may include seizures (often associated with fever), temporary low platelet count leading to unusual bleeding or bruising, and anaphylaxis.
People with serious immune system problems or allergies should be cautious, as there is a very small chance of a severe allergic reaction, other serious injuries, or even death. If you experience any concerning symptoms or believe you are having a reaction to the vaccine, seek medical advice immediately.
It is important to note that the benefits of the hepatitis A vaccine typically outweigh the risks. The presence of other medical conditions or allergies may impact the decision to receive the vaccine, so it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to weigh the risks and benefits for your specific situation.
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Other vaccine side effects that cause muscle pain
While soreness and pain around the injection site are common side effects of vaccines, other vaccines may also cause muscle pain as a side effect. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, for instance, can cause muscle aches in addition to fever, loss of appetite, headache, joint pain, and chills. The PPSV23 vaccine can also lead to muscle pain, along with redness or pain at the injection site, fever, and fatigue.
In addition, the meningococcal ACWY vaccine can result in muscle pain, accompanied by other symptoms like headaches and tiredness. Similarly, the meningococcal B vaccine may also cause muscle pain, along with soreness, redness, swelling, fever, fatigue, headache, joint pain, and chills.
Furthermore, the hepatitis A vaccine may cause injection site pain, soreness, and redness. Although less common, it can also lead to fatigue, fever, and malaise. It is important to note that these side effects are usually mild and temporary, and your healthcare provider can advise on ways to manage them.
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Frequently asked questions
Hepatitis A is usually caught by consuming food and drink contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. It typically passes within a few months, but it can be severe and even life-threatening. Muscle pain is a common symptom of hepatitis, but it is not known to cause long-term muscle pain.
Hepatitis A is a virus that is usually contracted by consuming food and drink contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. It is most common in countries with poor sanitation. There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A, but vaccination is recommended for those at high risk of infection or severe consequences of infection.
Shingles is a painful, itchy rash that develops on one side of the face or body. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. The most common complication of shingles is long-term nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia or PHN, which can last for months or years after the rash goes away. About 10% to 18% of people who get shingles experience PHN, and the risk increases with age. Shingles can also cause muscle weakness in about 1% to 5% of cases.
Postherpetic neuralgia is an intense pain that lingers after the shingles rash heals. It occurs in about 18% of people who have shingles and usually disappears within a year, but some people never recover. PHN can be minimised with vaccination and early treatment during a shingles outbreak.
