Hepatitis A

Introduction

In the area of health, the continuous promotion of health care providers is plagued with several of issues. Patients are the only people who will suffer much because of their own carelessness and lifestyle. It is obvious for the people that once there is an existence of the disease, the cure is the first being sought. Without knowing that it best when they give importance and paid attention on the various to prevent such illness.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis is broadly defined as an illness characterized with inflammation, swelling and tenderness of the liver, most frequently caused by a virus. The most common types are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. In addition, there is an additional discovery of other hepatitis viruses which are less common to people they are called hepatitis D, E and G (Gloriani-Barzaga, et al., 1997). Each form is caused by a different and specific virus. However the focus of the paper is allotted on the Hepatitis A. The hepatitis A (HAV) infection can be contracted by eating food or drinking water that is contaminated by human feces, or even by oral or anal sex, but not through normal heterosexual genital to genital sex. In other countries, particularly in Unites States, there is a great number of people recorded as being infected with the hepa-A. It is considered as an acute disease usually resolves itself within six months and does not develop into a chronic illness (Chua, 1999; Wiersma, 2009).

More likely, a person who has a Hepa-C infection has a big possibility in catching the Hepa-A, and creates the condition very rapid and deadly disease. Most of the hepa-C patients get the attention of the medical interventions and are subject for vaccination against the Hepa-A. The symptoms are described as Hepatitis A characteristically has an abrupt onset. Symptoms can include fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, clay-colored stools and jaundice. Many infections are mild and without jaundice. Infected children, particularly infants and toddlers, are frequently asymptomatic. Illness can last one to two weeks or, rarely, several months. The recorded fatality rate is less than 0.1% (Henderson, 2009).

Prevention

Like the many infections, hepatitis can be also avoided or prevented. There are some habits that a person should change in avoiding the virus. It is promoted that making sure that food and drinks are free from contamination and the food handler is free of hepatitis, washing hands regularly, practicing safe sex, never sharing objects such as nail file, nail clipper, razors, needles, toothbrushes, silverwares, etc. When getting a tattoo, a manicure or body piercing, make sure the instruments are sterile. Those exposed to blood in their work (healthcare or daycare center workers, etc.) or those who live with, or exposed to, infected persons should be vaccinated against Hep-B and Hep-A (Chua, 1999).

Treatment and Medication

Acute hepatitis A is self-limited and often does not require hospitalization and treatment to eliminate the virus. Physicians may prescribe some medications for headache, nausea, or IV fluids to prevent dehydration from not eating and drinking (Chua, 1999). Still, there is no proven specific treatment in the illness and there is an ongoing investigation regarding the Hepa-A infection.

The best guide that a patient can use is to increase the amount of rest and avoiding too much fatigue. There is also a strict rule about the low-fat diet and the availability of vaccination. The said vaccination is recently demonstrated in the Unites States and is being promoted to the international travelers, people with active sexual exercises, illegal drug users, people who have a high risk for infection, and those who have a chronic history of hepatitis. Even the group of organizations is advised to take an anti HAV vaccine and most of the groups are named as the food service workers, sewerage workers, health care workers, and child care centers (Henderson, 2009). The virus reaches peak levels the week or two before onset of symptoms and diminishes rapidly after liver dysfunction or symptoms appear which is concurrent with the appearance of circulating antibodies to HAV. Infants and children, however, may shed virus for up to 6 months following infection (Wiersma, 2009).

Conclusion

The hepa-A becoming more popular in most of the developed countries, like the US, it is because of the openness of the country into various technological opportunities and liberation. There is nothing wrong in the continuous progress but the people should also understand that health should not be far from their aim for development.

References:

Chua, P.S., (1999) “Hepatitis: The Silent Killer”, Heart to Heart Talk, Accessed 17 June 2010, from http://www.feu-nrmf.ph/drchua/pdf/H/Hepatitis.pdf

Gloriani-Barzaga, N., Cabanban, A., Graham, R.R., & Florese, R.H., (1997) “Hepatitis E Virus Infection Diagnosed by Serology: A Report of Cases at the San Lazaro Hospital, Manila”, Accessed 17 June 2010, from http://www.psmid.org.ph/vol26/vol26num4topic6.pdf

Henderson, B., (2009) Hepatitis A (Infectious Hepatitis), Accessed 17 June 2010, from http://www.odh.ohio.gov/pdf/IDCM/hepa.pdf

Wiersma, S.T., (2009) “Chapter 2: The Pre-Travel Consultation Travel-Related Vaccine-Preventable Diseases”, Traveler’s Health –Yellow Book, Accessed 17 June 2010, from http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2010/chapter-2/hepatitis-a.aspx