Hepatitis A: There is a major Hepatitis A outbreak in Kerala. As many as 12 people have succumbed to the disease, and 1977 cases confirmed this year, media reports said. Four districts — Malappuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, and Thrissur — are on high alert. Kerala Health Minister Veena George has said that directions have been issued to strengthen grassroots-level action plans in those districts, and that water sources in all affected areas will be chlorinated, eateries inspected, and restaurants will supply only boiled water, as instructed.
Thousands of more people are suspected to be infected, but the cases have not been officially reported.
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis is an infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A virus, and is a highly contagious disease that results in an inflammation of the liver. An unvaccinated person can contract the disease if he or she consumes food or water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. Oral-anal sex can also spread the disease.
Therefore, proper sanitation, hygiene and consumption of clean, safe food and water is necessary to prevent Hepatitis A and similar disease.
Hepatitis A is usually a short-term disease, and not chronic, unlike Hepatitis B and C. In rare cases, Hepatitis A can cause acute liver failure, which can be fatal.
A person with Hepatitis A can feel sick for a few weeks to several months, but usually recovers completely.
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What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A?
The incubation period of Hepatitis A is two to seven months, which means that the symptoms start appearing two to seven months after infection. In most cases, symptoms last less than two months. In some cases, the symptoms can last for six months.
The symptoms of Hepatitis A include yellow skin of eyes, upset stomach, stomach pain, dark urine, light-coloured stools, joint pain, not wanting to eat, throwing up, fever, diarrhoea, feeling tired, and nausea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Symptoms of Hepatitis A manifest more often in adults than in children. Children under six years of age usually do not experience noticeable symptoms.
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Who is at risk for Hepatitis A?
The risk factors for Hepatitis A include not being vaccinated, having had a previous infection, living in an endemic area or with lack of safe water and poor sanitation, living in a household with an infected person, using recreational drugs, travelling to areas of high endemicity without being immunised, being a sexual partner of someone with acute Hepatitis A infection, intercourse between men, HIV infection, and chronic liver disease, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC.
How is Hepatitis A diagnosed?
Hepatitis A can be diagnosed through tests which detect the presence of immunoglobulin G antibodies specific to Hepatitis A virus in the blood.
RT-PCR tests can also detect Hepatitis A virus RNA in the blood.
How can Hepatitis A be treated?
Hepatitis A does not have any specific treatment, and only the symptoms can be managed. Acetaminophen and paracetamol are medications that can affect the liver adversely, and hence, must be avoided.
Patients with Hepatitis A need adequate nutrition, fluids, and rest. Those with severe infection must be hospitalised.
Hepatitis A can be prevented through vaccination, and by maintaining hygiene.