Hepatitis A stands for food jaundice, hepatitis A or dirty hands disease. No wonder - it is enough to eat contaminated food or drink infected water to become infected. Find out what are the causes and symptoms of hepatitis A, how else is infection, what is the treatment and how to prevent infection.
Hepatitis A( hepatitis A ), otherwise " food jaundice ", then acute infectious disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV).
It is estimated that hepatitis A accounts for approx. 59 percent. all cases of viral hepatitis in the world.¹ Approximately 1.2-1.4 million cases are recorded annually. 20 percent patients require absolute hospitalization .¹ Mortality is low and amounts to 0.6-2.1 %¹
Hepatitis A (hepatitis A) - how do you get infected?
- in approx. 95 percent cases of infection are ingested through ingestion1 :
- contaminated water (also in the form of ice cubes) - contaminated food, e.g. vegetables, fruit or fish washed in contaminated water, seafood from waters contaminated with contaminated faeces
In rare cases, contamination occurs:1,2
- through close contact with infected people
- through sexual contacts (especially homosexuals)
- as a result of a breach of tissue continuity (e.g. by acupuncture and tattoo needles)
- plasma or factor VIII transfusion
People who are most at risk of becoming infected with hepatitis A are employees of sewage treatment plants, sewage equipment operators and others who come into contact with waste.
People working in the he alth service, nurseries, kindergartens and the military are also at risk. The likelihood of infection also increases when visiting endemic countries (the Mediterranean basin, Eastern European countries, Russia, and developing countries).
hepatitis A (hepatitis A) - symptoms
The virus hatch in the body from 15 to 50 days (average 28 days).1After this time, symptoms of the disease appear, although in children under the age of 6 the disease usually it is asymptomatic or its symptoms are scant.1
Weekbefore the appearance of the full form of the disease, the so-called heraldic symptoms - flu-like.
Then comes the most characteristic and visible symptom of the disease - jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes), which may be accompanied by an enlarged liver. This is because the levels of the yellow pigment bilirubin increase in the body. Jaundice disappears after about a month.
In addition, there are:
- feeling unwell
- weakness
- fever
- lack of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- stomach ache
- muscle and joint pain
- itchy skin
- darker urine
- discolored stool
Acute symptoms usually disappear after a few days.
Importanthepatitis A (hepatitis A) - vaccine
Vaccination is the only effective way to prevent hepatitis A. After a complete vaccination course, the body builds up antibodies that can protect against hepatitis A for life.
Two doses of vaccine are required: primary protection is obtained after a single dose. For long-term protection against hepatitis A infection, a booster dose should preferably be given between 6 and 12 months after the first vaccination.
It is worth knowing that according to the current Protective Vaccination Program, vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended:2
- people going to countries with high and intermediate endemic incidence of hepatitis A
- people employed in the production and distribution of food, disposal of municipal waste and liquid waste, and in the maintenance of equipment serving this purpose
- for preschool and school children and adolescents who did not suffer from hepatitis A
hepatitis A (hepatitis A) - diagnosis
If hepatitis A is suspected, blood tests are performed. If infection is present, there is an increase in the levels of the liver indicator enzymes aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, and an increase in bilirubin. Final diagnosis is made on the basis of the serological test for anti-HAV antibodies.
hepatitis A (hepatitis A) - treatment
According to the act on combating infectious diseases in Poland, hospitalization of patients with PAH is obligatory.1
There is no drug that would accelerate the elimination of the virus from the body. The patient is recommended to limit physical activity, eat an easily digestible diet and stay hydrated.
Hepatitis A (viral inflammationhepatitis A) - complications
The complications of untreated hepatitis A include cholestasis (cholestasis, cholestatic jaundice), aplastic anemia, acute hemolytic anemia.
The most serious, life-threatening complication is hyperacute hepatitis.1
This will be useful to youhepatitis A (hepatitis A) - prevention
- follow the rules of hygiene, also when preparing meals
- eat food that has been cooked (boiled, baked, fried). Avoid especially uncooked meat and shellfish
- drink only bottled or boiled water (especially when abroad)
- protect your food from insects