(WWJ/AP) - A scientific panel is recommending that more than 2 million U.S. kids get vaccinated against hepatitis A.
Thirteen years ago, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended hepatitis A shots for all U.S. children at age 1. On Thursday, the panel said the shots should be given to older children who weren't vaccinated earlier, including 14- to 18-year-olds who turned 1 before the recommendation was made.
The panel also recommended the shots for every person with HIV. About 1.1 million Americans are estimated to have HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. People with HIV tend to develop more severe hepatitis A illnesses.
U.S. hepatitis A infections and deaths have risen in the last two years, spurred by outbreaks among the homeless and drug users. Last year, Michigan experienced its largest person-to-person hepatitis A outbreak in history.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. It's spread by eating contaminated food or water, during sex or by living with an infected person. The virus is shed in feces and is most commonly spread from person to person by unclean hands contaminated with feces.