Hepatitis A, known as “dirty hands disease”, is a condition that can cause mass infections, closed communities having the highest risk.
Correct hand washing, with soap and water, is the effective photo prevention method: Pixabay
Hepatitis A, also known as “dirty hands disease”, is an infectious liver disease caused by hepatitis A (HAV). It produces temporary liver inflammation and, unlike hepatitis B or C, does not usually become chronic. It is a viral hepatitis, as well as hepatitis B, C, D and E, instead the transmission and evolution are different. Just a few days ago, the Dolj Public Health Directorate announced several hepatitis A outbreaks in several localities.
“Viral hepatitis A is spread throughout the world, the geographical areas can be characterized by a high, intermediate and low endemicity level. Endemicity levels are related to hygienic-sanitary conditions. In areas with increased endemicity, adults are generally immunized and HVA epidemics are unusual ”, It is shown in an informative material posted on the official website of the Olt Public Health Directorate.
How does hepatitis A manifest, how much the virus resists
The forms of manifestation of hepatitis A can be from mild to severe, the duration of the disease ranging between two weeks and a few months. The most feared complications of hepatitis A are lightning hepatitis and liver insufficiency (fatality rate of 0.1-0.3%). Those who go through illness achieve immunity for the rest of their lives.
One of the high risks related to hepatitis A is that the virus can be stable in the environment for months, being resistant to the most common methods of food storage: drying and freezing. The virus is relatively stable at low pH levels and moderate temperatures, but can be inactivated at high temperatures (above 85 degrees Celsius) and when chlorine is used.
At risk of developing the disease are people traveling in areas with high endemicity of HVA, population groups living in improper conditions, people who use injectable drugs and, very rarely, blood beneficiaries and blood products.
“According to data in the European Supervisory System (Tessy): children between the ages of 5-14 are the most affected, and most reported cases are in September and October ”, It is also shown on the DSP Olt website.
Difficult to differentiate from other acute viral hepatitis
The signs and symptoms of hepatitis A are difficult to differentiate from the other types of acute viral hepatitis. Usually the disease begins suddenly, with fever, general condition, anorexia, nausea, abdominal discomfort, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), dark urine and discolored chairs.
“Clinical symptoms usually do not last more than 2 months, although at 10% -15% of people, signs and symptoms can be extended up to 6 months ”the source quoted shows.
The manifestation of the disease is closely linked to age, so that in children under 6 years old, the infection may pass unobserved (70% of cases are asymptomatic), while in adults and children over 6 years old (over 70% of patients in this age category). Most patients recover completely in 2-6 weeks, and the passage through the disease gives life immunity.
The name of “dirty hands disease” has a direct connection with the transmission, which is made by fecal-oral. Hepatitis A virus is abundantly excreted in fecal matter and can survive in the environment for long periods of time. The infection is usually acquired by ingesting food, or water contaminated with fecal matter. The transmission is made directly from person to person, being favored by the precarious hygiene conditions. Occasionally, transmission can take place through sexual contact (anal-oral) and blood transfusions.
How to prevent the disease. What is the period of contagiousness
The average incubation period is 28-30 days (from the range of 15-50 days). “Studies show that the period of maximum contagiousness appears in the last half of the incubation period and continues a few days after the onset of jaundice. Most cases are no longer contagious after the first week after the onset of jaundice, although in children a prolonged viral excretion (up to 6 months) has been documented ”, The specialists in public health also show.
Respect for hygiene rules is the main measure of prevention of hepatitis A. Frequent and correct washing of hands, with water and soap, especially before the meal and after using the toilet, is the golden rule.
It is also recommended the consumption of safe water (boiled or bottled, especially in risk areas). Also from the set of measures aimed at food safety we mention the avoidance of ice prepared from uncertain water. It is preferable to peel the fruits and vegetables and to avoid seafood (oysters, shells) raw or insufficiently thermally prepared. And the food sold on the street, from unsafe sources, can be a risk.
Ensuring good sewerage conditions and drinking water supply are essential conditions for preventing diseases in communities, to which is added waste elimination. An essential role in the prevention of illnesses is also played by sanitary education in communities and schools.
The most effective method of prevention remains vaccination, which in Romania is not part of the national vaccination calendar, but is recommended in particular: children from areas with increased incidence; people traveling in endemic areas; health staff, public food, communities; Patients with chronic liver disease (given the risk of lightning hepatitis in the development of the disease).
People who have come into close contact with a patient can benefit from vaccine or, in some cases, immunoglobulins for rapid protection.
