Hepatitis A
Cause:
Hepatitis A is a viral disease that affects the liver. Anyone can be infected with hepatitis A if they come in direct contact with food, drinks or objects contaminated by the faeces of an infected person. Hepatitis A is also common in developing countries where hygiene standards are poor. Symptoms may last for several weeks but full recovery is usual.
Symptoms:
You can fall ill any time between 15 and 50 days after catching the virus, with the average incubation period being 28 days. Many infected people, particularly children less than five years old, show few or no symptoms.
For older children and adults, the symptoms include:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Abdominal discomfort
- Dark urine
- Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice).
Symptoms may last for several weeks but full recovery is usual.
How is it spread:
Hepatitis A is caused by a virus. It is spread when taken in by mouth, which can happen when hands, foods or other items are contaminated with the faeces of a person with hepatitis A. The disease can also be spread sexually by oral-anal contact. A person with hepatitis A is infectious from two weeks prior to showing symptoms to one week after they become jaundiced.
Treatment:
Hepatitis A can be diagnosed with a blood test. There is no specific treatment, but most people clear the virus themselves.
Prevention:
Strict hygiene is important. To reduce your risk of catching hepatitis A, you should: Wash your hands with soap and hot running water before handling food, after going to the toilet and after handling used condoms or having contact with the anal area of another person. Clean bathrooms and toilets often, paying attention to toilet seats, handles, taps and nappy change tables. Boil your drinking water if it comes from an untreated source, such as a river.
You can be immunised against Hepatitis A. Immunisation includes a course of injections over six to 12 months. Hepatitis A immunisation is a good idea for people travelling to places where the disease is common, or to places where hygiene standards are poor.
(Sourced Better Health Channel: Hepatitis A)