Introduction : Formerly known as “Infective” hepatitis or epidemic jaundice, caused by hepatitis A virus. Although mortally is less (0.1%) patients may be incapacitated for many weeks.
Incidence & Prevalence : Exact incidence difficult to calculate due to high proportion of asymptomatic case4s however according to W.H.O. it is 10-50 persons per 1,00,000 population per year.
Agent : Hepatitis A virus is an enterovirus, which multiplies only in hepatocytes. Faecal shedding of virus is at it’s highest during the later part of incubation period & early acute phase of illness. The virus is inactivated by ultraviolet rays, by boiling for 5 minutes & autoclaving. It withstands heating & routine chlorination. However, it is destroyed in water by super chlorination (1 to 1.5 ppm chlorine levels).
Host : more frequent among children, but affects all ages if infected. Both sexes susceptible. Immunity after attack probably lasts for life.
Environmental : Associated with heavy rainfall. Poor sanitation & overcrowding favors the spread.
Mode of transmission : Major route is faeco oral transmission (direct from person to person or indirectly from contamination of water, food or milk. rarely can be transmitted from parenteral route (blood & products or skin contamination & sexual route).
Incubation period : 15-45 days
Clinical features of Hepatitis A : Nonspecific symptoms like fever, chills, headache, fatigue, generalized weakness followed by anorexia, nausea, vomiting, dark urine & jaundice. Many cases are subclinical or asymptomatic.
Diagnosis of Hepatitis A : demonstration of HAV particles or antigens in the faeces. Demonstration of a rise in anti HAV titre. Detection of ig M antibody to HAV.
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