Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). This disease is very common in the less developed areas of the country, where there is no basic sanitation and hygiene conditions are very poor.

How to get Hepatitis A

The form of hepatitis A contamination occurs through the fecal-oral route, ie, the infected person spreads the virus through feces, which contaminate the water used in food.

Contaminated water may also be pool and river water, where an infected person may have passed. Any object of personal use that may be contaminated by feces is a potential transmitter of the virus. This includes towels and cuticle cleaners and removers.

For these reasons it is essential to always wash your hands and food thoroughly before consuming them. The more hygiene care, the less chance of contamination.

Symptoms

During the virus incubation period, Hepatitis A has no symptoms, but this virus can already infect another person. This period can last between two and six weeks. The symptoms are similar to those of a virus, so this disease is often understood as a simple virus without the person realizing what they actually had. Possible symptoms of Hepatitis A include:

• Fever;
• Muscle pain;
• Malaise;
• Tiredness;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Lack of appetite (lack of appetite);
• Jaundice;
• Dark urine;
• And whitish yellow stools.

If you suspect the presence of Hepatitis A virus in you or someone in your family, see your doctor to have the disease confirmed or not by blood and stool testing and proper care taken.

Hepatitis A Treatment

THE Hepatitis A has no treatmentRemedies are usually used to alleviate symptoms. Hepatitis A sufferers cannot consume alcohol until 3 months after the cure of the disease, when liver enzymes are fully recovered. The good news is that after healing, the patient is immune to this virus.

THE Fulminant hepatitis A requires intensive hospital care and in some cases liver transplantation may be required. Remember that in cases of fulminant hepatitis, there is rapid loss of liver function and the virus carrier is at serious risk of death.

Prevention

THE Hepatitis A vaccine should be given to children from 1 year, in two doses 60 days apart. Anyone in the at-risk group should still get the vaccine even after adults.

O Hepatitis A risk group It includes children and the elderly who attend places such as day care centers, schools and nursing homes, drug users, patients with coagulation disease, HIV and chronic liver disease, as well as homosexuals and bisexuals.

In addition to the vaccine, it is important to take basic hygiene and food, such as:

• Do not eat foods of unknown origin;
• Wash hands thoroughly before meals, after using the toilet and before handling food;
• Wash food thoroughly with treated water;
• Use only chlorinated or boiled water;
• Avoid using manicure equipment in salons without sterilization or always use yours for individual use;
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked seafood;
• When in areas of poor sanitation, redouble care.

When you notice any signs of the disease, look for a specialist and pay even more attention to cleanliness and care with food and personal cleanliness.

Hepatitis A: CDC Viral Hepatitis Serology Training (May 2024)