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.