Hepatitis A is a viral infection that targets the liver, spreading through contaminated food, water and close contact with infected individuals or objects. This contagious disease results in liver inflammation, impairing the organ’s functioning.
Hepatitis A infection could be mild or severe. Individuals diagnosed with mild hepatitis A cases don’t need treatment. In mild cases, most infected people fully recover without lasting liver damage. Maintaining good hygiene, such as regular handwashing, is essential for preventing hepatitis A. Vaccination against hepatitis A is also available and effective.
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that specifically affects the liver, often presenting as inflammation. The severity of the illness can vary from mild to severe. In contrast to other hepatitis viruses, hepatitis A does not result in chronic liver disease or lasting damage. Although rare, in some cases, it can lead to acute liver failure, posing a potentially life-threatening risk.
Hepatitis A differs from hepatitis B and hepatitis C in transmission, treatment, effects and duration of the virus. Hepatitis A is the most contagious and symptomatic of all three types of hepatitis. Yet hepatitis A resolves spontaneously without treatment.
Globally, hepatitis A is widespread in areas with poor sanitation and frequent contamination of food and water. The virus spreads through direct contact and contaminated sources. It often causes large outbreaks in communities.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A
Now we know the meaning of hepatitis A, let us understand its symptoms.
Symptoms typically emerge a few weeks post-exposure to hepatitis A. But it is also important to note that not everyone with hepatitis A shows symptoms.
Here are some of the common symptoms of hepatitis A:
- Unusual fatigue and weakness
- Sudden nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain, particularly in the upper right side of the abdomen
- Clay- or grey-coloured stool
- Appetite loss
- Low-grade fever
- Dark urine
- Joint pain
- Jaundice
- Intense itching
These hepatitis A symptoms can be mild (lasting a few weeks) or severe (persisting for months). If you face any of these symptoms, seeking medical intervention is wise.
Hepatitis A vaccine or immunoglobulin injection within two weeks of exposure can prevent infection.
Causes of Hepatitis A
We know the meaning of hepatitis A and its symptoms. Let us understand its causes.
Hepatitis A virus causes inflammation and affects liver function. The virus transmits when individuals ingest tiny amounts of infected stool through faecal-oral routes.
Common ways to contract hepatitis A include eating or drinking items tainted with infected stool or through direct contact with an infected person. You should also be aware that the virus can survive on surfaces for months. Also, the hepatitis A virus does not spread via casual contact, sneezing or coughing. Specific transmission methods of hepatitis A include the following:
- Ingesting food prepared by an infected individual who has not properly washed his/her hands after using the toilet.
- Drinking water contaminated with the virus.
- Eating foods washed in tainted water.
- Consuming raw shellfish from sewage-polluted waters.
- Close contact with an infected individual, whether symptomatic or not.
- Sexual contact with an infected person
Diagnosis of Hepatitis A
To diagnose the hepatitis A virus, healthcare professionals perform blood tests, examining symptoms and signs of the infection. Usually, they extract blood from a vein in your arm and forward it to a laboratory for testing.
Treatment of Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A has no specific treatment. The body naturally eliminates the virus, healing the liver within six months without permanent damage. So, the treatment of hepatitis A focuses on managing its symptoms.
If you get hepatitis A, fatigue is common, so you must rest well to recover. Maintaining a balanced diet is also very important. Nausea might reduce appetite, so avoid frequent snacking and eat full meals. Consume high-calorie foods, fruit juice and milk to maintain calorie intake and stay hydrated. This is especially important if you are experiencing vomiting or diarrhoea with hepatitis A.
Ensure that you refrain from consuming alcohol. Since hepatitis A compromises the liver’s ability to process substances like alcohol and certain medications, drinking alcohol may lead to additional liver damage. Consult with healthcare providers to confirm the safety of all medications for your liver condition.
Risk Factors Associated with Hepatitis A
The following situations can increase risk factors for hepatitis A:
- Those travelling or working in regions where hepatitis A is widespread, including Africa, Asia (excluding Japan), Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Central and South America, Mexico and certain parts of the Caribbean.
- Living with someone diagnosed with hepatitis A
- Being a man engaging in sexual activities with other men
- Engaging in any sexual activity with an infected person
- Being HIV positive
- Experiencing homelessness
- Using any form of recreational drugs, injected or otherwise
The following group of people fall in the high-risk groups for hepatitis A:
- Children, teens and adults visiting or residing in areas with a high incidence of hepatitis A
- People residing in or moving to communities with recorded hepatitis A outbreaks in the last five years, both in the US and internationally
- Military personnel
- Individuals engaging in high-risk sexual behaviours
- Users of illegal intravenous (IV) drugs
- People with haemophilia and recipients of therapeutic blood products
- Employees in daycare centres
- Workers in institutional care settings
- Laboratory personnel handling live hepatitis A virus
- Individuals working with primates potentially carrying hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is often termed a ‘traveller’s disease’ due to its high occurrence and vaccine-preventability among travellers.
How can Hepatitis A be Prevented?
Here is how to prevent hepatitis A:
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Vaccination:
- The hepatitis A vaccine, typically administered in two doses six months apart, effectively prevents infection.
- A combination vaccine, including hepatitis B, is available; it is administered in three shots in six months.
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CDC recommends administering vaccines to:
- Children who are 1 year or unvaccinated older children
- Homeless individuals aged 1 year or older
- Infants 6-11 months old travelling to high-risk areas
- Family and caregivers of adoptees from high-risk countries
- Those in close contact with hepatitis A patients
- Laboratory workers exposed to the virus
- Men who have sex with men
- People who are working or travelling in high-risk areas
- Recreational drug users
- Individuals with chronic liver conditions, such as hepatitis B or C
- Anyone seeking immunity
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Travel Safety:
- In high-risk areas, wash and peel fruits and vegetables using bottled water.
- Avoid raw or undercooked meat and fish.
- Consume and use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth, or boil tap water if needed.
- Steer clear of beverages of uncertain purity, including ice made from unfiltered water.
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Hygiene Practices:
- Regular and thorough handwashing, especially after using the toilet or diaper changes and before food preparation or eating.
Conclusion
Understanding hepatitis A is crucial for safeguarding public health. Being a liver infection induced by a virus, hepatitis A underscores the importance of taking preventive measures like getting vaccinated, maintaining good hygiene and consuming safe food and water, especially in high-risk areas. Fortunately, hepatitis A, while causing liver inflammation, does not result in chronic liver disease and typically resolves without lasting damage. By spreading awareness and advocating for proactive health measures, we can together strive to diminish the impact of hepatitis A and secure the health and welfare of individuals and communities worldwide. Having health insurance ensures access to vaccinations, regular check-ups, and necessary treatments, making it easier to prevent and manage infections like hepatitis A effectively.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.