Hepatitis A is a virus-induced infection that leads to liver swelling and harm. There is an increase in size when the cells in the body are damaged or infected, which is known as inflammation. Inflammation can damage organs.
Viruses invade normal cells in your body. A number of viruses can generate diseases that can be transmitted from one individual to another. Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by contact with food or drink that has been handled or contaminated by someone with the virus in their fecal matter.
Hepatitis A is an acute illness that rarely requires treatment, as the majority of people who suffer from it will recuperate within a few weeks. In exceptional circumstances, hepatitis A can have extremely serious outcomes, including liver failure and the need for an urgent liver transplant in order to live. Hepatitis A does not cause any long-term issues, for example cirrhosis, because the infection is relatively short-term.
You can defend yourself against hepatitis A by acquiring the hepatitis A vaccine. If you are suffering from hepatitis A, you can take necessary precautions in order to avoid transmitting it to other people.
What is the difference between hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C?
Hepatitis A, B and C are all forms of liver illness resulting from being infected by three diverse viruses. Though the indications might be comparable, the way that they are transmitted is varied and their influence on the liver can differ. Hepatitis A is typically a brief illness and does not evolve into a prolonged condition. In certain cases, both hepatitis B and hepatitis C start out as a brief, acute illness, however, some individuals maintain the virus in the body, bringing about a persistent condition and extensive-term liver complications. Vaccines exist to combat hepatitis A and B, however, no vaccine has been created for hepatitis C.
How common is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is not as prevalent in the United States as it once was. Since the hepatitis A vaccine was released in 1995, the amount of hepatitis A diseases dropped dramatically by 95 percent in the United States. The disease known as hepatitis A had its lowest amount of reported cases in 2014, dropping to a total of 1239 for the year. This figure is the least since the condition became trackable. In 2017, 3,366 cases of the illness were reported, a sharp climb from the previous year that was primarily due to the prevalence of the disease among drug users and the homeless. This increase was around three times the amount of the previous year. “Evidence has indicated that both the amount of hepatitis A cases and incidents have risen over the course of 2018 and remain elevated in 2019.”
In areas of low sanitation and inadequate access to clean water, Hepatitis A is increasingly present. Hepatitis A prevails in regions such as Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and Eastern Europe to a greater extent than it does in the U.S.
Who is more likely to get hepatitis A?
Individuals who are at a higher risk of acquiring hepatitis A are those who
- travel to developing countries
- have sex with an infected person
- are men who have sex with men
- use illegal drugs, including drugs that are not injected
- experience unstable housing or homelessness
- live with or care for someone who has hepatitis A
- live with or care for a child recently adopted from a country where hepatitis A is common
Transmission / Exposure
How is hepatitis A spread?
People who have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus will have it present in their blood and stool. The hepatitis A virus is spread when someone ingests the virus (even in amounts too small to see) through:
Person-to-person contact
It is possible to acquire hepatitis A by engaging in certain intimate interactions with an individual who has it, or by tending to or doing drugs with a person who has it. This can include oral-anal sexual contact, looking after someone who is infected, or participating in drug use with an affected person. Hepatitis A is highly transmittable and may be passed on by someone before they are aware of any symptoms.
Eating contaminated food or drink
The hepatitis A virus can get into food at any stage, from growing and collecting it to handling, preparing, and even cooking it. Food and water being contaminated occurs frequently in nations in which Hepatitis A prevails. Though not common, instances of food poisoning from eating infected imported fresh and frozen food products have taken place in America.
What are the complications of hepatitis A?
People typically recover from hepatitis A without complications. In exceptionally uncommon occurrences, hepatitis A may result in liver breakdown. Hepatitis A is more likely to lead to liver failure in individuals who are over 50 years old and who have an existing liver disorder.3
What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?
Some individuals may exhibit signs 2 to 7 weeks after being exposed to the virus. Generally, individuals with hepatitis A will recuperate without medical treatment after a brief period. In some cases, the effects of the illness can continue for a period of up to six months. These symptoms may include
- dark yellow urine
- diarrhea
- feeling tired
- fever
- gray- or clay-colored stools
- joint pain
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- pain in the abdomen
- vomiting
- yellowish eyes and skin, called jaundice
In some cases, those infected by hepatitis A do not display symptoms, particularly in patients that are under 6.3 years old. Conversely, older kids and adults are more probable to show symptoms.
What causes hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is an infectious disease that is transmitted through contact with the faeces of someone who has the virus. Contact can occur by
- eating food made by an infected person who did not wash his or her hands after using the bathroom
- drinking untreated water or eating food washed in untreated water
- placing a finger or an object in your mouth that came into contact with an infected person’s stool
- having close personal contact with an infected person, such as through sex or caring for someone who is ill
You cannot get hepatitis A from
- being coughed on or sneezed on by an infected person
- sitting next to an infected person
- hugging an infected person
A baby cannot get hepatitis A from breast milk.4
How do doctors diagnose hepatitis A?
Medical professionals make a diagnosis of hepatitis A by examining symptoms and running a blood test. A medical practitioner will draw a sample of your blood and send it to a laboratory. A blood test can reveal IgM antibodies to see if you have a recent or current infection of hepatitis A. These antibodies can identify if you have acute hepatitis A. If the blood test detects antibodies to the hepatitis A virus that are not IgM antibodies, then you are safe from hepatitis A. This immunity could have been acquired by getting infected with hepatitis A previously or through hepatitis A vaccination.
How do doctors treat hepatitis A?
One way to address the symptoms of an illness is to allow oneself rest, intake a large amount of fluids, and consume nutritious meals. Your physician might recommend medications to assist in relieving symptoms.
Consult your physician prior to ingesting any medicinal drugs, vitamins, herbal supplements, or holistic treatments, as these could have detrimental effects on your liver. It is advised that you abstain from drinking until your medical professional confirms that you have recovered from hepatitis A.
Go to your physician regularly to make sure your body is completely healed. If it has been more than 6 months since you first experienced symptoms, you should speak to your doctor again.
How can I protect myself from hepatitis A infection?
You can guard yourself against hepatitis A by receiving the hepatitis A immunization. If you haven’t been vaccinated, you can do things to lessen your probability of becoming infected.
If you have already contracted hepatitis A, you will be immune from it in the future. It is still possible to contract different varieties of viral hepatitis.
What should I do if I think I have been exposed to hepatitis A virus?
If you suspect that you have had contact with the hepatitis A virus, it is best to get in contact with a medical expert or your regional or state health agency as soon as you can, within a time span of two weeks being the ideal. A health care provider can decide on subsequent plans of action dependent on one’s age and general wellness.
Can I prevent infection after an exposure to the hepatitis A virus?
An injection of the hepatitis A vaccine may guard against hepatitis A if it is taken within a period of fourteen days after coming into contact with the virus. Your physician might suggest that you receive a dose of immune globulin along with the hepatitis A vaccine, based on your age and overall wellbeing.
If I have had hepatitis A in the past, can I get it again?
Once you have had hepatitis A, you will gain immunity to it and be safe from getting it again in the future.
How long does hepatitis A virus survive outside the body?
The hepatitis A virus can stay thriving beyond the body for several months. Cooking food and beverages to 185°F (85°C) for a minimum of one minute will destroy the virus. Exposure to freezing temperatures does not kill the virus.
How is the hepatitis A vaccine given?
There are two types of hepatitis A vaccine. For long-term protection against hepatitis A, the first type of vaccine which is single-dose hepatitis A must be received in two separate doses. These injections must be provided six months apart from each other. A different vaccine shields individuals from both hepatitis A and B. Any individual aged 18 or over can receive the combination vaccine, which entails three injections administered over a 6-month period. A three-dose regimen is necessary for full immunization against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
Is the hepatitis A vaccine effective?
Yes, both kinds of hepatitis A inoculation are extremely successful in thwarting hepatitis A virus contamination. Submitting to the full series of vaccinations results in immunity that is sustained over time.
Is the hepatitis A vaccine safe?
Yes, the hepatitis A vaccine is safe. No adverse reactions have been noted from the hepatitis A immunization. The most regularly cited reaction to an injection is discomfort at the area where it was administered. The potential for a severe complication developing after someone has been vaccinated must always be taken into consideration when administering drugs. Despite the possibility of danger present with hepatitis A, the potential dangers posed by the hepatitis A vaccine are much less significant. Since 1995, a large number of people in the United States and around the planet have received hepatitis A vaccines.
Who should not receive the hepatitis A vaccine?
Individuals who have ever experienced an allergic reaction that could be life-threatening to the hepatitis A vaccine, or possess an allergy towards any component of the vaccine, should not receive the immunization. Tell your doctor if you have any severe allergies. The vaccine is not approved for use in babies younger than 1 year old.
What is immune globulin?
Immune globulin is a substance produced using human blood plasma that consists of antibodies, the natural protective mechanism of the body against infection. Immune globulin injections may be administered in specific cases, such as when a person is too young for vaccination or has had a life-threatening reaction to the hepatitis A vaccine or an element of it in the past. Immune globulin does not offer immunization that lasts for an extended period of time like the hepatitis A vaccine does.
Will the hepatitis A vaccine protect me from other forms of hepatitis?
The hepatitis A vaccine only serves to guard against hepatitis A and has no effect on any other illnesses. There is a separate vaccine available for hepatitis B. There is an inoculation available that can provide defense from both hepatitis A and B virus. At present, no immunization exists for hepatitis C.
Can hepatitis A vaccine be given to people with compromised immune systems, such as hemodialysis patients or people with HIV/AIDS?
Yes. People with weakened immune systems can receive the hepatitis A vaccine.
Is it harmful to have an extra dose of hepatitis A vaccine or to repeat the entire hepatitis A vaccine series?
Additional doses of Hepatitis A vaccine will not cause any harm.
What should be done if the last dose of hepatitis A vaccine is delayed?
If the time between the first and second dose is longer than 6 months, it is best to get the latter dose as soon as possible. You do not need to repeat the initial dose.
Where can I get the hepatitis A vaccine?
Discuss with your healthcare specialist or contact the local public health office, where adults may be provided vaccines at no or minimal cost. For children, check the Vaccines for Children Program .
Who should get the hepatitis A vaccine before traveling internationally?
Individuals who have not been vaccinated and those who have never had hepatitis A should get a vaccination before visiting areas where hepatitis A is widespread. Those who journey to metropolitan locations, vacation spots, and stature lodgings in nations with high prevalence of hepatitis A remain exposed to potential danger. Travelers who ventured outside of their country have contracted the virus despite being extra cautious with hand-washing and what they ingested. Individuals who are too young or have previously had a dangerous response to the hepatitis A vaccine or any part of the vaccine should be given immune globulin. It is not advised that individuals visiting countries where hepatitis A is not usually present should get vaccinated for the virus ahead of time.
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