Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A Latest News

Recently, public health experts opined that Hepatitis A deserves a place in India’s universal immunisation programme  due to its multiple outbreaks across many states in India.

About Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). 
• It occurs throughout the world.
• It is especially common in countries in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Western Pacific.
• Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease but it can cause mild to severe symptoms and rarely fulminant hepatitis (acute liver failure).
• Symptoms: Fever, malaise, loss of appetite, Nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, Dark urine and jaundice.

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Transmission of Hepatitis A

• It is transmitted primarily by the faecal-oral route; that is when an uninfected person ingests food or water that has been contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. 
• The virus can also be transmitted through close physical contact with an infectious person.

Treatment for Hepatitis A

• There is no specific antiviral treatment for hepatitis A.
• Its treatment mainly focuses on supportive care to relieve symptoms and ensure adequate hydration and nutrition.

Source: TH