How is hepatitis A transmitted?
The virus enters the body through the mouth: with water, food, vegetables and herbs washed with contaminated water, as well as through dirty hands and objects. The sick person becomes infectious even before the appearance of jaundice, at the end of the incubation period, and that is why the infection easily spreads in families, children's groups and during public catering. The incubation period lasts on average from two to six weeks. The virus is practically not transmitted through blood and household touch without violating hygiene.
- Contaminated drinking water
- Unwashed vegetables, fruits, greens
- Seafood from polluted waters
- Dirty hands and shared utensils
- Close contact in the family and children's team
- Infectiousness is higher before the onset of jaundice
Symptoms
The disease usually begins with a malaise that can easily be mistaken for the flu or an intestinal infection: weakness, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, heaviness in the right hypochondrium. After a few days, the urine darkens to the color of strong tea, the feces lighten, and the skin and whites of the eyes acquire a yellowish tint. With the onset of jaundice, health often improves. In preschool children, the disease often goes away without jaundice, and remains unrecognized, although the child is contagious to others.
- Weakness, fatigue, temperature
- Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting
- Heaviness and pain in the right hypochondrium
- Dark urine and light stool
- Yellowness of the skin and sclera
- Itchy skin
- In children - often without jaundice
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is confirmed by a blood test for IgM antibodies to the hepatitis A virus: they appear at the onset of the disease and indicate an acute infection. IgG antibodies last a lifetime and indicate previous disease or vaccination. Biochemical indicators reflect liver damage: ALT and AST increase significantly, bilirubin increases. A coagulogram helps assess the severity, as the liver synthesizes coagulation factors. An ultrasound of the liver excludes other causes of jaundice, such as stones in the bile ducts.
- Anti-HAV IgM is a marker of acute infection
- Anti-HAV IgG - previous infection or vaccination
- ALT and AST
- Total and direct bilirubin
- Coagulogram
- General blood test
- Ultrasound of the liver and gallbladder
Treatment
Antiviral drugs against hepatitis A are not required: the body copes with the virus itself. Treatment is supportive - sufficient rest, plenty of fluids, small meals with limited fatty and fried foods. Strict starvation diets are unnecessary and harmful. Alcohol is strictly excluded at least until the tests are completely normal. Take any medications, including over-the-counter pain relievers and herbal remedies, only with the advice of your doctor, because stress on the liver can worsen the condition. So-called liver cleanses and dietary supplements have no proven benefits and are dangerous.
- Stay at home and get enough rest
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Small meals, limiting fatty and fried foods
- Complete abstinence from alcohol
- Be careful with medications and herbs
- Control of analyzes until normalization
- Hospitalization in severe cases and in pregnant women
Prevention and vaccination
The most reliable protection is vaccination: two doses at intervals provide long-term immunity. It is especially recommended for people traveling to regions with high incidence rates, catering and childcare workers, and patients with chronic liver diseases. Contact persons in the outbreak are prescribed a vaccine or immunoglobulin in the first days after contact, and the decision is made by the doctor. Household prevention is simple and effective: wash your hands, drink safe water, carefully handle vegetables and herbs.
- Vaccination with two doses
- Vaccination before traveling to disadvantaged regions
- Washing hands with soap after using the toilet and before eating
- Boiled or bottled water
- Thorough washing of vegetables, fruits and herbs
- Separate dishes and towel for the sick person
- Monitoring contacts during the incubation period