Hepatitis A
Background
The word "hepatitis" means inflammation of the liver. This can be caused by a number of things, such as chemicals, alcohol, drugs and infection by viruses. The viral hepatitides are a group comprising of several different viral hepatitis infections, which may have similar clinical presentations but which differ in their epidemiology, etiology, immunology, and pathology. The symptoms of acute viral hepatitis include fever, headache, lethargy, nausea, dark urine, pale stools and jaundice. The most commonly encountered viral hepatitidies are type A, type B and type C.
Hepatitis A
Commonly referred to as infectious hepatitis, hepatitis A is caused by an enterovirus. Infection, particularly in children, may be asymptomatic, or symptoms may be mild, thus the incidence of hepatitis A is difficult to determine.
Although there is no specific treatment for Hepatitis A, a simple vaccination course can develop immunity. All people at risk of contracting Hepatitis A should be vaccinated e.g. caterers, refuge collectors, plumbers, travellers, health care workers etc
Hepatitis A symptoms, when present, may include abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, nausea, low-grade fever and tiredness, sometimes followed by jaundice, dark urine and pale faeces. The infectious period is from two weeks before jaundice occurs, then during the first week of jaundice. There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. Most patients are told to rest for one to four weeks after diagnosis is made, and to avoid intimate contact with other people.
Transmission
Transmission of infection is by the faecal-oral route, usually by ingesting water or food that has been contaminated with faecal matter containing the virus. Recent significant outbreaks in Australia have been associated with contaminated foods such as oysters.
Prevention
Control of the spread of the infection includes:
- Good hygiene, including adequate hand washing and cleaning procedures,
- Excluding employees from work or children from care centres, for seven days after the onset of jaundice or illness, and
- Vaccination of groups at risk.
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