Hepatitis Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver caused by hepatitis A
(HAV). It can also be caused by certain drugs and chemicals
liver damage.
Description of hepatitis A:
Hepatitis literally refers to an inflammation of the liver. In fact, there are five forms of acute viral hepatitis, which are often clinically indistinguishable from another. These diseases are not related to each other, except by the fact that all cause liver damage. It is important not to confuse with another hepatitis A virus Hepatitis.Each has its own mode of transmission and associated risk factors.Hepatitis A, for example, is spread through fecal-oral route, whereas
Hepatitis B is often transmitted through sexual contact or IV drug abuse.
Causes and risk factors of hepatitis A:
Hepatitis A, formerly called infectious hepatitis, is more common in children in developing countries, but is observed more frequently in developed countries and is the most common cause of hepatitis in the United States. Hepatitis A is thought to be spread by a virus in faeces of an infected person who is directly or indirectly contaminating food, raw shellfish, drinking water, cooking utensils or someone else's fingers . Those most at risk are children who attend daycare, international travelers, military personnel stationed abroad, gay men, and close contacts of people infected with hepatitis A.
Symptoms of hepatitis A:
The most common symptoms of hepatitis A include fatigue, nausea and / or vomiting, mild fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, rash and jaundice (yellowing of the skin). Signs and symptoms of hepatitis A can vary from zero degrees in the early stages of the disease, significant nausea, abdominal pain, fever and malaise in the acute phase. The incubation period is two to six weeks after infection. Hepatitis A is considered an acute condition.
Diagnosis of hepatitis A:
The physician will have a complete medical history and may feel the area to check on liver tenderness or enlargement. If the skin becomes jaundiced and the person has symptoms of other hepatitis, the doctor will do various lab tests such as blood tests and liver panel tests. further laboratory tests include hepatitis A antibody ELISA II and RIBA II.
Rarely, the doctor may also perform a liver biopsy where a small part
liver were taken for further examination under a microscope.
Treatment of hepatitis A:
There is no specific treatment against hepatitis A, and most people recover completely and spontaneously. Hospitalization is often necessary if the patient is dehydrated or if symptoms are severe. At home, reads adequate rest and drink plenty of fluids will be recommended during recovery. The doctor may also recommend abstinence to alcohol and drugs that are harmful to the liver during this time.
Prevention of hepatitis A:
1.Wash hands well after using the bathroom.
2.Eat as freshly cooked food.
3.Drink only commercially bottled water or boiled water in places where sanitation and water supply are questionable.
4.Do to drink beverages with ice in them.
5.Do not eat fruit or peel raw vegetables thoroughly cleaned.
6.Maintain a relatively high index of suspicion while traveling anywhere and appropriately cautious ingestion of food or water where they may suspect hepatitis A is more common.
7.Get hepatitis A vaccination before traveling to areas such as Mexico, Eastern Europe and developing countries. Short-term protection of hepatitis A can also be provided.
Posted on March 15, 2010.
