Hepatitis is a general term used to describe a liver inflammation due to destruction or changes of the liver tissues. The are two main classifications of hepatitis; the non-viral hepatitis and the viral hepatitis. The nonviral hepatitis can further be classified as toxic hepatitis and drug induced hepatitis. In this article, will be focusing on viral hepatitis.

 

Viral Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis refers to systemic inflammation of the liver, caused by a virus.  There are 5 definitive types of viral hepatitis infections; hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D and Hepatitis E. The most common types are; hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV).  Hepatits A and E are transmitted via fecal-oral route while hepatitis B, C and D share almost a similiar mode of  transmission.  

 

Hepatitis A Causes

Hepatitis A is transmitted via fecal-oral. You can get hepatitis A by eating food or drinking a drink that has been infected with the virus or through hand-to-mouth contact or by anal-oral contact.

 

Other ways to get infected with hepatitis A is through;

Hepatitis A Pathophysiology

In developed countries, hepatitis A virus (HAV) accounts for 20% to 25% of all cases and the prevalence of HAV antibodies seems to increase with age. It is more common in developing countries and people living under poor sanitation conditions. The infection typically starts when an adult or a child injects food or drink infected with the hepatitis A virus. Children may acquire the virus at school through poor hygiene and then spread it at home.

 

Once the child or an adult catches the virus, the incubation period of HAV is estimated to be in between 15 and 50 days (averaging, 28 - 30 days).  Once infected with the virus, an adult or a child is capable of transmitting the virus, since the virus can be excreted in the stool even before the onset of the symptoms.

 

Hepatitis A Symptoms

Initially, most patients are asymptomatic and even if the symptoms may be present, they are mild and they may resemble those symptoms experienced by an individual suffering from a flu, with the exception of anorexia.  

 

Hepatitis A symptoms may include; upper respiratory infection, low grade fever, loss of appetite, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, flatulence, tiredeness and elevated aminotransferese levels. Jaundice and dark urine usually appear later on as the infection progresses. The symptoms seem to disappear with the appearance of the jaundice, usually 10 days after jaundice appearance. These symptoms are usually mild in children but they may be more severe in adult, especially during a relapse.

 

Hepatitis A Diagnostic Test

Hepatitis A Treatment and Management

Hepatis A virus usually heals by its own and no treatment is required, unless it becomes chronic or severe. The following are some ways in which hepatitis A is managed;
 

Prevention of Hepatitis A

The following are preventive measures that can help in preventing the spread of hepatitis A;