What is the hepatitis A virus?
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a virus that causes inflammation in the liver and causes hepatitis A.
What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is an acute infection of the liver caused by HAV.
Is hepatitis A contagious?
yes. The infection is very contagious and can sometimes lead to outbreaks with infected people lasting several weeks or even months.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?
The symptoms of hepatitis A are:
- fever
- malaise
- nausea
- Vomiting
- abdominal pain
- lack of appetite
- fatigue
- dark urine
- whitish stools
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
The frequency of symptoms usually depends on the age of the patient. The infection is usually asymptomatic at ages below 6 years. In older children and adults, the infection usually causes clinical disease in more than 70% of cases.
How is the hepatitis A virus transmitted?
The main mode of transmission is by the fecal-oral route (contact of feces with the mouth), through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. This route is important for travelers to places with poor basic sanitation.
The virus can also be transmitted by person-to-person contact, including through sexual contact.
What is the incubation period of the virus?
The average incubation period is 28 days, ranging from 15 to 50 days.
What is the contagion period of HAV?
HAV is eliminated in the faeces, in high concentrations, from 2 to 3 weeks before to one week after the onset of symptoms.
How is hepatitis A diagnosed?
The diagnosis of hepatitis A involves the complete clinical history of the patient, with a search for symptoms and tests, such as blood tests with antibodies to the virus.
What are the main risk factors for infection?
The risk of HAV infection is higher for:
- travelers or inhabitants in places with poor basic sanitation conditions
- Men Who Have Sex With Men
- People:
- who use drugs
- homeless
- with liver disease
- com HIV
Some risk behaviors for contracting hepatitis A infection are:
- food consumption, such as:
- Rare meat
- Undercooked eggs
- underwashed or undercooked raw vegetables
- shellfish
- Unwashed fruit
- Do not wash your hands after using the toilet, change diapers and before preparing food
How can I prevent hepatitis A?
The main way to prevent hepatitis A is vaccination.
In addition, measures are recommended to strengthen and complement the prevention of hepatitis A, mainly related to personal, family and domestic hygiene and food preparation, such as:
- wash and disinfect hands frequently
- drinking or bottled water
- Cook food thoroughly, namely meat, vegetables and eggs
- Wash and disinfect food thoroughly before consuming it
What are the complications of hepatitis A?
Generally, hepatitis A does not cause serious complications or permanent damage, and people recover completely.
Is there a vaccine against HAV?
yes. The vaccine is available but is not included in the National Vaccination Plan. Ask your doctor or call SNS 24 (808 24 24 24
).What is the treatment for hepatitis A?
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A, so treatment is directed at the symptoms caused by the infection. Medications are usually used to relieve symptoms and, at the same time, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids and rest.
The ingestion of alcohol is absolutely discouraged and drugs that metabolize the liver or that may be harmful to the liver should be used with caution.
Source: Directorate-General for Health (DGS)