HEPATITIS A

HEPATITIS A

Hepatitis A is a liver disease cause by the hepatitis A virus.The virus is spread by the healthy carrier that ingest food or water that is contaminated with faeces of an infected person.The disease is closely associated with the unsafe water,inadequate sanitation and poor personal hygiene.It can cause debilitating symptoms and fulminant hepatitis (acute liver failure) which is associated with high mortality.

TRANSMISSION

The hepatitis A virus is transmitted primarily by the faecal-oral route which is when the healthy person ingest food or water that has been contaminated with the faeces of an infected person.The virus can also be transmitted through close physical contact with an infectious person, although casual contact among people dose not spread the virus.

SYMPTOMS

i)The incubation period of hepatitis A is usually 14-28 days.

ii))The symptoms of hepatitis A range from mild to severe..

a)include fever

b)malaise

c)malaise

d)loss of appetite

e)diarrhoea

f)nausea

g)abdominal discomfort

h)dark-coloured urine

i)jaundice(a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)

WHO IS AT RISK?

Anyone who has not been vaccinated or previously can contract with the hepatitis A. In areas where the virus is is widespread, most hepatitis A infections occur during early childhood.risk factor include:

i)poor sanitation

ii)lack of safe water

iii)injecting drugs

iv)living in a household with an infected person

v)being a sexual partner of someone with acute hepatitis A infection

vi)travelling to areas of high endemicity without being immunized

TREATMENT

There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. Recovery from symptoms following infection may be slow and may take several weeks or months.

PREVENTION

Improved sanitation, food safety and immunization are the most effective ways to combat hepatitis A. The spread of hepatitis A can be reduced by:

a)adequate supplies of safe drinking water

b)proper disposal of sewage within communities

c)personal hygiene practises such as regular hand-washing with safe water.

CHOLERA DISEASE

CHOLERA

Cholera is a bacterial infection disease causes by the Vibrio cholerae in the small intestine and causes severe diarrhea. In Malaysia, there were 133 cases of cholera in 2007 with 0:54 incidence rate / 100,000 population.

What are the signs and symptoms?

a)Diarrhea sudden a lot of liquid . This is similar to stink and 'air basuhan beras'.

b)Dehydration (water shortage situation)

i)Pulse / heart beat rate

ii)dry skin

iii)excessive thirst

iv)sunken eyes

v)No tears

c)pooped

d)Sleepiness / ground

e)Less urine

f)Hollow section 'ubun-ubun' for babies

g)abdominal cramps

h)queasiness

i)throw up

The signs or symptoms appear within a few hours to five days after exposure.

How does the disease spread?

a)Through food and drink contaminated with germs year.

b)Lack of personal hygiene.

c)Low on water treatment for drinking and wastewater or sewerage.

Complication

a)Loss of fluids from the body causing dehydration and shock (renjatan).

b)Mortality or death can occur within a short time if not treated.

Treatment

a)Replace body fluids and salts lost.

i)Give therapy Liquid Oral Rehydration (ORS)

ii)Giving liquid through intravenous infusion

iii)Giving antibiotics such as Tetracycline, Doxycline and Ciprofloxacin.

How cholera can be prevented?

Always observe the cleanliness yourself:

a)Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet and before preparing food.

i)Maintain hygiene (sanitation) and exhaust systems stool (feces) suitable especially after floods natural disasters

b)Avoid risky foods during a pandemic:

i)Raw vegetables / salads and fruits, food stalls and ice during an outbreak

ii)Food and beverages from street vendors (cendol and fruit crop)

iii)Ice unless the ice is made from boiled water or water that has been bottled

iv)The food is not cooked or raw fish or shellfish species

v)Only eat food that has been thoroughly cooked or still hot

vi)Use clean water only

vii)Only drink water that has been boiled or water that has been bottled only

What action if I suspected with the disease?

See your doctor immediately for next treatment.