Causative agent

 

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV).

 

 

 

Symptoms and signs

 

Hepatitis A signs are not first apparent until the patient has carried the virus during an incubation period of approximately 14 to 28 days.

Common symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, malaise, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark-coloured urine and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) and may range from mild to severe.

According to the research led by WHO, Adults have signs and symptoms of illness more often than children. The severity of disease and fatal outcomes are higher in older age groups.

 

 

 

Risk factors

 

Hepatitis A is transmitted basically through the faecal-oral route. The virus can survive under room temperature. People can get hepatitis A from direct contact with infected people through sexual contact or sharing needles. Sometimes, lack of proper hygiene may lead to virus transmission.

 

Besides, people who has not been vaccinated or previously infected can get infected with hepatitis A virus. Risk factors in intermediate and high endemicity areas include:

• poor sanitation;
• sharing needles;
• living with an infected person;
• being a sexual partner of someone with acute hepatitis A infection; and
• travelling to areas of high endemicity without being immunized.

 

 

Complications

 

Unlike other types of viral hepatitis, hepatitis A will not become chronic. Acute liver failure requires inpatient hospitalization for monitoring and treatment. Some worse cases may need a liver transplant.

 

 

 

Prevention

 

Hepatitis A infections can also be severe and life threatening. The hepatitis A can be prevented by taking actions in several effective ways. Improved personal hygiene, safe drinking water and food, and a clean living environment can prevent infection with the virus.

 

Hepatitis A vaccination, on the other hand, can decrease the infection risk. In Hong Kong, a complete course of vaccination requires two injections, given six months to twelve months apart. The body takes four weeks to develop antibody against hepatitis A after the first vaccine injection. Hepatitis A vaccine is not licensed for children younger than one year of age.

 

 

 

Treatment

 

The symptoms last for a couple of months and currently, there’s no specific treatment for hepatitis A. If patients suffer from nausea and vomiting, they are required to have intravenous fluids therapy in the hospital.

 

 

 

*The above information is for reference only, please consult your doctor for detail.