What is hepatitis A ?
- Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV).
- The hepatitis A virus is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person.
- The incubation period of hepatitis A is usually 14–28 days.
- Symptoms of hepatitis A range from mild to severe, and can include malaise, fever, , diarrhoea,loss of appetite, nausea, dark-coloured urine and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes),abdominal discomfort.
- Anyone who has not been vaccinated or previously infected can contract hepatitis A
- Improved sanitation, food safety and immunization are the most effective ways to combat hepatitis A.
How hepatitis A is transmitted ?
The hepatitis A virus is transmitted primarily by the faecal-oral route; that is when an uninfected person ingests food or water that has been contaminated with the faeces of an infected person.You can catch the disease if you drink water or food that's been contaminated with the stool of someone with the virus.
What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis A?
If you have this infection, you have inflammation in your liver that's caused by a virus. You don't always get symptoms, but when you do, you might have:
- The incubation period of hepatitis A is usually 14–28 days.
If you have this infection, you have inflammation in your liver that's caused by a virus. You don't always get symptoms, but when you do, you might have:
- Jaundice (yellow eyes and skin, dark urine)
- Fever
- Pain in your belly
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Children often have the disease with few symptoms.
Who is at risk of Hepatitis A ?
In areas where the virus is widespread (high endemicity), most hepatitis A infections occur during early childhood.Anyone who has not been vaccinated or previously infected can contract hepatitis A.
Risk factors of Hepatitis A include:
- Poor sanitation
- Living in a household with an infected person
- Lack of safe water
- Have unprotected sex with an infected person
- Travelling to areas of high endemicity without being immunized.
- Injecting drugs-Person who use use illegal drugs, including non-injection drugs
How could I get hepatitis A?
You could get hepatitis A through contact with an infected person's stool. This contact could occur by
You cannot get hepatitis A from
You could get hepatitis A through contact with an infected person's stool. This contact could occur by
- Drinking untreated water or eating food washed in untreated water
- Eating food made by an infected person who didn't wash his or her hands after using the bathroom
- Having close personal contact with an infected person, such as through sex or caring for someone who is ill
- Placing a finger or object in your mouth that came into contact with an infected person's stool
You cannot get hepatitis A from
- Being coughed or sneezed on by an infected person
- Sitting next to an infected person
- Hugging an infected person
- A baby cannot get hepatitis A from breast milk.
Diagnosis of Hepatitis A
- Blood tests allow doctors to diagnose it.Specific diagnosis is made by the detection of HAV-specific IgM and IgG antibodies in the blood.
- Additional tests include reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect the hepatitis A virus RNA, but may require specialised laboratory facilities.
Treatment OF Hepatitis A
No treatments can cure the disease. Your doctor may take tests that check your liver function to be sure your body is healing.
Hepatitis A can be prevented by good hygiene sanitation and vaccination.
The spread of hepatitis A can be minimized by:
Immunization-Vaccines for Hepatitis A
The two types of vaccines are one containing inactivated hepatitis A virus, and another containing a live but attenuated virus.Both provide active immunity against a future infection. The vaccine protects against HAV in more than 95% of cases for longer than 25 years
WHO response
WHO is working in the following areas to prevent and control viral hepatitis:
WHO also organizes World Hepatitis Day on July 28 every year to increase awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis.
No treatments can cure the disease. Your doctor may take tests that check your liver function to be sure your body is healing.
- There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A.
- Sufferers are advised to rest, avoid fatty foods and alcohol,eat a well-balanced diet, and stay hydrated.
Hepatitis A can be prevented by good hygiene sanitation and vaccination.
The spread of hepatitis A can be minimized by:
- Personal hygiene practices such as regular hand-washing with safe water
- Adequate supplies of safe drinking water
- Proper disposal of sewage within communities
Is There a Hepatitis A Vaccine?
Yes. Vaccination is recommended for:
- Those with a blood clotting problem
- Men who have sex with other men
- Travelers to areas of the world with increased hepatitis A infection
- Anyone with long-term liver disease
- People who inject illegal drugs
The vaccine is given in doses.
The two types of vaccines are one containing inactivated hepatitis A virus, and another containing a live but attenuated virus.Both provide active immunity against a future infection. The vaccine protects against HAV in more than 95% of cases for longer than 25 years
WHO response
WHO is working in the following areas to prevent and control viral hepatitis:
- Raising awareness, promoting partnerships and mobilizing resources
- Preventing transmission; and
- Executing screening, care and treatment.
- Formulating evidence-based policy and data for action
WHO also organizes World Hepatitis Day on July 28 every year to increase awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis.