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Hepatitis A is an infectious disease, which can damage your liver. Hepatitis A is the result of a virus which is known as the Hepatitis A Virus. The virus can be harmful and is very contagious and can also be transmitted through a person’s food. If the food you consume has been prepared by a Hepatitis A infected person, or if the food gets contaminated as a result of being touched, then the person has a greater chance of being infected with the disease.
How harmful is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is extensively found in people who reside in unclean homes, and who do not drink clean water. Unclean water and unhygienic food is the prime reason for getting infected with Hepatitis A, which explains why people in developed countries are not usually infected with Hepatitis A in their own country.
But in under developed countries, the story is very different. There are children who fall prey to the disease at a very early age. The problem is compounded by the fact that there is no clinical symptom seen in children, even when they have been infected with Hepatitis A.
The harmful effects of Hepatitis A can be reduced by taking precautionary steps very early on in life. Make sure that the children are vaccinated with a Hepatitis A vaccine. Vaccination is the surest way to protect you from Hepatitis infection. Vaccinations are also the only way to make you immune from the disease for the rest of your life.
Hepatitis A is not life threatening. You won’t find any failure of organs associated with the disease. Though, the liver can be damaged, it can’t be fully destroyed. Hepatitis A infection is not associated with any chronic infection as such.
Symptoms associated with Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A symptoms are not usually seen in children, but if an adult has been infected with Hepatitis A, then it is highly likely that the person may get bugged with influenza initially. The infected person might get tired easily, or have a fever. jaundice or a loss in appetite could be experienced by the infected person. The occurrence of abdominal pain is also a sign that the person may have been suffering from Hepatitis A. However, all the above symptoms are likely to occur within two to six months, which if it occurs, should be taken seriously.
Diagnosis of Hepatitis A
There are various stages in the diagnosis process of Hepatitis A. The presence of antibodies would tell you what stage of infection Hepatitis A has been associated with. If the IgM antibody is present in the system, then the infected person is suffering from acute Hepatitis A.
However, the IgG antibody in the blood could mean something different: There’s no acute infection in the system.
There’s one more aspect to diagnosis. The liver enzyme, Alanine transferase, is produced in more than normal levels when the person is infected with an acute form of Hepatitis A.
Prevention of Hepatitis A
The best way to prevent Hepatitis A is by having a vaccination. A vaccination course is available given over the years. You can also help yourself a great deal by having clean water and clean food. Sanitation and cleanliness is another significant way through which Hepatitis A can be resisted.
Treatment of Hepatitis A
Treating Hepatitis A is limited to treating the symptoms associated with the disease. There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis A, but the symptoms such as fever, or any kind of abdominal pain is treated and cured. The medical specialists advise the infected person to take lots of rest and tell them to avoid fatty foods and to not drink alcohol.
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