Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A also known as infectious hepatitis or epidemic jaundice is an acute communicable disease caused by hepatitis A virus which is identified in human stool and in plasma of liver cells.
Symptoms-
1)Initially there is no specific symptom except fever, chills, headache, general weakness and fatigue.
2)Few days later, specific symptoms like nausea, anorexia, and vomiting, dark yellow urine and jaundice eyes occur.
3)In severe case, patient goes in hepatic coma and finally death occurs.
Modes of transmission-
1)Faeco-oral route- water or food contaminated by faeces is common source for the spread of this infection.
2)Parental route- HAV is transmitted by blood and its products or by skin penetration through contaminated needles or through accidental cuts.
Prevention and control of hepatitis A
1)Human immunoglobulin- intramuscular injection before exposure to virus during the incubation period prevents clinical illness.
2)Control of reservoir
3)Control of transmission