A Family Doctor's Tale - HEPATITIS A

DOC I HAVE HEPATITIS A

Hepatitis A is a acute inflammatory infection of the liver which is caused by the hepatitis A virus(HAV).

The virus is excreted in faeces and transmitted through contaminated food and water. Eating shellfish, cockle shells, prawns or crabs taken from sewage-contaminated water is a common means of contracting hepatitis A. It can also be acquired by close contact with individuals infected with the virus.
HAV causes the liver to become enlarged, inflamed and tender resulting in all the symptoms of hepatitis. There is no chronic (long-term) infection.
A person is infectious for 2-3 weeks before he or she experiences symptoms:
1.fever and joint pains
2.jaundice
3.fatigue
4.loss of appetite
5.nausea and vomiting
6.abdominal pain
7.pale coloured stools and dark urine
8.itchy skin due to irritation by the bilirubin.
During the first week of the illness he feels very sick and weak.
As the condition improves, the patient generally feels better after the first week but may requires to rest at home for 6 weeks to avoid damage to the liver.
A blood test is the best way to diagnose hepatitis A. His hepatitis antigens are raised at the early stage but as his condition improves the antibodies become positive.
His liver function tests are also done to assess the damage to the liver. Usually the seum bilirubin is high, liver enzymes or tramsaminase, alkaline phosphatase are raised in the acute stage of illness. As the condition improves, these tests gradually returned to normal.
There are no medicines for treatment of Hepatitis A except for symptomatic treatment of symptoms.
1.Rest in bed
2.multivitamins especially vitamin B to improve
the function of the liver
3.Lots of fluids
4.carbohydrate diet
5.Anti-itch creams and lotions to stop itch
Recovery is usual with rare cases going on to cirrhosis of the liver.
Hepatitis A vaccination is the best protection.
It is usually given in 2 doses within 1 year.
Immune globulin can be given for short-term protection. It is given before and within 2 weeks after coming in contact with hepatitis A virus. The vaccine is recommended for travellers travelling to developing countries and people with chronic liver disease.
Always practice good food hygiene.
Avoid food like seafood which may be contaminated  by unhygienic water.
Always wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet, before preparing and eating food.
Recovery is usual within 6 weeks.