An Overview Of Hepatitis A

Synopsis

Hepatitis A is virus that causes acute liver disease. Hepatitis A can be mild and only last a few weeks or more severe with infections lasting up to a few months. Almost all cases of hepatitis A have resolved within 6 months or less. Although Hepatitis A does not become chronic like other hepatitis infections, it’s still an infection that must be taken seriously., as it can wreak havoc on the liver and there are serious complications that can results from a hepatitis A infection. Currently, hepatitis A infections are decreasing in the United States, although hepatitis A is prevalent in other parts of the world such as Eastern Europe, Africa, Central America, South America, Asia, and Mexico. If someone plans to travel to those parts of the world, there is a hepatitis A vaccine that is highly recommended.

There are several vaccines available to prevent people from catching Hepatitis A. The first one is called Havrix. It contains aluminum hydroxide, which is an adjuvant, and viral antigen. Another vaccine is called Twinrix. Twinrix is a combination vaccine that prevents both Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. A third common vaccine for Hepatitis A is called Vaqta. Vaqta contains an inactive whole virus. All three of these vaccines are effective at preventing people from becoming infected with Hepatitis A.

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Hepatitis A In The US Population

Hepatitis A infection rates have risen and fallen on a cyclical basis. Every 10-15 years, infection rates peak. They then fall again. The introduction of effective vaccines twenty years ago have altered this pattern, however, and infection rates now remain low. Since 2007, less than 3,000 new cases are reported per year. For reference, between 1987 and 1997, on average, 28,000 cases per year were reported.

How Hepatitis A Spreads

Hepatitis A can be spread person to person. Casual contact (things like hugging or shaking hands) do not spread the disease, however. Poor hygiene increases the chances of spreading Hepatitis A. Young people are more likely to become infected than older people, and the disease has been known to spread throughout daycare centers and neonatal units.

Hepatitis A can also spread through waterborne outbreaks. These instances are rare, but they do occur. Be cautious of any situations where water has been contaminated by sewage. Also be weary of water that has not been properly decontaminated.

Am I At Risk For Hepatitis A?

Any sexually active person is at risk for Hepatitis A. It is contagious and spreads through sexual contact. If you engage in unprotected anal, vaginal or oral sex, you are at risk for contracting Hepatitis A. Some individuals have a higher risk profile for contracting Hepatitis A. These people include men who have sexual contact with other men, and young people. If you are in any kind of sexual relationship, the use of condoms can greatly reduce your risk of contracting Hepatitis A.

Hepatitis A And Pregnancy

Hepatitis A does not seriously affect pregnancy and it is not associated with serious outcomes. However, pregnant women should advise their doctors of their pregnancy before receiving a Hepatitis A vaccine. The safety of Hepatitis A vaccines for use with pregnant women has not been determined.

Can HVA Be Cured?

There are no effective medications or treatments for Hepatitis A. However, the CDC states that 99% of people who become infected with the disease will make a full recovery. If you do have Hepatitis A, things you can focus on to help your health include drinking lots of fluids and getting as much sleep as you can.

How Is Hepatitis A Diagnosed?

Doctors can diagnose Hepatitis A by giving patients a blood test. A number of symptoms may also make it clear that somebody is suffering from Hepatitis A. These symptoms include jaundice, abnormal fatigue, joint and/or abdominal pain, appetite loss, fever, nausea, dark urine and diarrhea.

Hepatitis A Prevention

The surest way to avoid a Hepatitis A infection is to have yourself vaccinated. Numerous effective vaccines exist and have been listed earlier in this article. Other ways to lessen the risk of Hepatitis A include washing your hands often and avoiding contaminated water sources. When it comes to sexual behavior, using a condom in all circumstances is also helpful for Hepatitis A prevention.

The History Of Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A has been known about since the beginning of recorded history. It was described as a jaundice-causing disease of the liver. Hepatitis A was not known as a disease that was separate from the other Hepatitis infections until World War II. Studies that followed in the ensuing decades were able to clearly define what Hepatitis A is and how it spreads. Although Hepatitis had been known about for thousands of years, treatments were not discovered until the latter half of the 20th century. Nowadays, vaccines exist that can prevent you from coming down with the disease in any way.