But before we go through all the meaty stuff, a little introduction to what Hepatitis is in the first place is timely. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It falls under two types which are the viral type and the non-infectious type. Viral hepatitis is caused by a virus that invades the body causing it to be ill. It is commonly referred to as Hepatitis affixed with any of the letters of the alphabet from A to E. On the other hand, a non-infectious hepatitis is an inflammation that has occurred due to injury of the liver by other means such as metabolic disorders, chemicals or even genetics. Generally, clinicians call hepatitis as acute if it lasts for 6 months. But if it goes on beyond the 6 month period it is then called chronic. Hepatitis A is considered to be an acute form of Hepatitis.
If you are not familiar with this disease, knowing the telltale signs of hepatitis is critical because it can help you prevent further damage to your system and afford you the necessary care and attention needed. For instance, the yellowing of the skin or the white of the eyes is a common sign of hepatitis. However, it is not always the case especially when there is not enough accumulation of the yellow chemical causing this abnormal coloration. The more usual symptoms would be vomiting, nausea, fever and fatigue. Of particular note is Hepatitis A transmission, because of all the different types of hepatitis this one is considered to be the least serious of them all. It does not reach the chronic stage, and with proper care and maintenance, full recovery is within reach. Specific symptoms for Hepatitis A are the following:
- Poor appetite
- Fever
- Dark colored urine almost resembling Cola
- Jaundice ( yellowing)
- Muscle coupled with joint pains
- Stools appear to be light colored
- Vomiting and nausea
When you experience any of these symptoms, it is pertinent to visit your medical practitioner immediately so that tests may be conducted on your body. Hepatitis A transmission is rooted from fecal exposure. Substances that are exposed to fecal matter and find its way through a patient’s mouth will be infected by the virus. Poor hygiene and ill practices in food preparation are culprits of Hepatitis A transmission. A sexual partner who has Hepatitis A may also be a source of infection. The incubation period of Hepatitis A may run from 15 to 45 days. This means that once you get infected by the virus, the effects do not show up instantaneously. The contagious period happens during this time and over a week after the symptoms of Hepatitis have started to show itself.
Studies have shown that there are several countries all over the world that are more prone to contracting this disease such as Central America, Bangladesh, India and South America. Currently about 1/3 of the U.S. population is exposed to this viral infection. If you want to take part in the drive towards eradication of Hepatitis A transmission, one can start from home by keeping everything clean and sanitized. If you are directly involved in food preparation, always make sure that you clean all the cooking utensils and wash your hands thoroughly when handling food items.
There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis A, but a complete rest and proper eating habits consisting of a well balanced diet can go a long way. Also, it is advisable to stay hydrated to wash away the toxins in your body and abstain from consuming fatty foods and alcohol which unduly tasks your liver.
Fortunately, there is no chronic infection of Hepatitis A. Thus, once you have contracted this disease and get healed after 6 months, you will not be infected with it again. Currently, medical practitioners advise patients to have supportive care when they are inflicted with this disease. And for those who haven’t been exposed to it yet, one thing that you can do is prevention. Preventive measures include vaccination. A hepatitis A vaccine is given through a shot and is effective in preventing the onset of hepatitis once exposure happens. It is fairly safe even for pregnant women to be vaccinated with Hepatitis A because the virus is in its inactive form; the body of the pregnant mother as well as the fetus has a very low risk, if at all, from contracting the disease. To be sure, you may visit your doctor and ask for advise if vaccination is an option.
It pays to always be clean in whatever you do. Yes, it is very tiring to always be on the alert for germs and viral infections such as Hepatitis A. But the rewards are even more fulfilling when you know for a fact that you and your family are out of harm’s way just because you maintained a clean and safe environment to live in. Always pay attention to how you prepare your food. Washing your hands often and sanitizing the tools around your home can go a long way towards Hepatitis A prevention. Hepatitis A transmission can be prevented; all it takes is your time and dedication to be really serious about it. If you have friends and family members who are clueless about this infection, this will be the right opportunity to educate them about Hepatitis A. It pays to be conscientious about cleanliness because it can save you from headaches due to stopping from work, treatment and others.
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