Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a viral liver disease of varying severity depending on the health status of the patient. The disease does not pose a chronic form.

Virus or HAV is hepatitis A virus of the family Picornaviridae. It is part of notifiable diseases in France since 2005.

Epidemiology

Hepatitis A is more common in Africa, South America, Central America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Worldwide, more than 1.4 million cases each year (WHO). However, in France, improved hygiene has reduced the number of infected people.

Hepatitis A has a seasonal increase and is common during the months of September and October (return travel of people from high-risk countries) and during the months of January and February (high consumption of shellfish during the holiday of year).

Incubation period

The incubation period ranges from 15 to 52 days.

How do you contract hepatitis A?

The mode of transmission of hepatitis A is through the digestive tract by ingestion of water or contaminated food. The virus is normally found in the feces of sick people and can come then contaminate food and water. There is talk of a fecal-oral contamination.

The virus can also be transmitted by other modes:

- Communities with inadequate sanitation;

- Places where food hygiene is defective;

- Seafood collected in untreated areas, including bivalves, as well as vegetables

- Raw or improperly cooked food in areas at risk

- Hands of infected people

What are the signs of hepatitis A?

Usually remains asymptomatic hepatitis A in children as in adults signs are characterized by fever, joint and muscle pain. Then appears a fatigue associated with yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). Often the patient has nausea and loss of appetite with dark urine.

The laboratory diagnosis of hepatitis A is through a blood test in order to detect anti-HAV antibodies.

Evolution

The evolution of hepatitis A is favorable to healing in 9 of 10 cases. The occurrence of fulminant hepatitis is rare (1/1000) and the disease does not pose a chronic form.

Treatments

In general, hepatitis A self-limiting and do not require special treatment. However, the rest is strictly indicated and must be supplemented by a good diet and a healthy lifestyle including the removal of the alcohol.

It is also advisable to avoid toxic drugs to the liver such as paracetamol.

However, in severe cases, hospitalization will prove necessary.

Prevention

Prevention of hepatitis A is based primarily on improving the level of hygiene.

Tips

Wash hands routinely before handling food.

- Avoid eating seafood found in the sea and avoid raw seafood in areas or in places with poor hygiene.

- Boil tap water before drinking.

- Avoid raw or poorly cooked food in risk areas: raw fruits and vegetables, green salads, raw meat, raw fish ...

- Using condoms during sexual intercourse.

Hepatitis A can be prevented by vaccination, recommended mainly for those at high risk and those with the defense of the body is low (elderly and infants)