It is safe and has been used for many years for temporary protection against hepatitis A. Side effects such as local pain and tenderness at the injection site may occur. More severe reactions have been reported but are rare. Ig is not recommended for persons with an IgA deficiency condition or any health problem that causes excessive bleeding. Hepatitis A is an infection caused by a virus. This virus is found in the feces of an infected person from about 2 weeks before to 1 week after the beginning of symptoms.
Infection can occur after direct or indirect ingestion of feces of an infected person.
Spread to others may happen when an infected person does not wash his or her hands after going to the toilet or changing diapers and then touches or handles something that another person puts into his or her mouth, like food or toys. After several days the eyes and the skin may become yellow. The infection may be very mild, especially in young children, or it may be severe, even requiring admission to a hospital. Symptoms usually occur 2 to 6 weeks after the person has been infected. The best way to protect against hepatitis A is by vaccination.