Related articles: Hepatitis A
Definition
Hepatitis A is an infectious disease that causes widespread inflammation of the liver.
The causative agent is a small single-stranded RNA virus, from the picornaviridae family, called Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). Liver infection is mainly contracted via the fecal-oral route, mainly through direct contact with other infected people or ingestion of water and contaminated foods. Foods at risk are, in particular, raw seafood consumed. Poor conditions of personal hygiene and incorrect eating behavior during food handling can favor contagion.
Hepatitis A can also be transmitted through anal-anal sex practices and, rather rarely, bloodborne infection is possible. Hepatitis A virus proliferates in the intestine and liver, and is excreted through the faeces with maximum elimination 1-2 weeks after infection (ie before symptoms appear).
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Anorexia
- Asthenia
- Increased transaminases
- Chills
- Abdominal pain
- Spleen pain
- Pain in the upper part of the abdomen
- Muscle pains
- Edema
- Hepatomegaly
- Temperature
- I made clear
- Jaundice
- Headache
- Nausea
- itch
- splenomegaly
- Dark urine
- He retched
Further indications
The onset of symptoms is abrupt. After a relatively short incubation period (15-50 days, on average 1 month), hepatitis A manifests as flu-like symptoms: fever, headache, loss of appetite, muscle and abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and general malaise . Subsequently, signs suggestive of liver damage appear, such as jaundice (yellowish coloring of the skin, mucous membranes and sclera of the eye), due to the increased concentration of bilirubin in the blood. Even the urine can become dark, marsala-colored, due to the bilirubin that accumulates in the circulation, while the faeces become clear.
In some individuals, hepatitis A may be asymptomatic.
In most cases, hepatitis A has a benign evolution and resolves spontaneously in a few weeks, without leaving any permanent damage to the liver. The lethality is quite low (calculated around 0.1%) and correlated above all to the eventual acute liver failure (fulminant hepatitis). Unlike hepatitis B and C, it does not become chronic; furthermore, he who recovers from hepatitis A develops a lasting immunity that protects against subsequent infections.
Hepatitis A is diagnosed through a medical examination in the symptomatic phase and analysis of a blood and stool sample. The serological marker assay allows the detection of antibodies directed against the virus (anti-HAV IgM: produced in the early stages of acute infection, reaching the peak about 1-2 weeks after the appearance of jaundice; anti-HAV IgG: indicate previous exposure to HAV).
Treatment is usually supportive. In general, rest and a balanced diet are recommended. Hepatitis A can be prevented by vaccination, which is recommended for all people at high risk of contracting the disease (medical personnel, individuals with chronic liver disease and immunosuppressed).
In addition to vaccination, hygiene measures must be observed to prevent the transmission of hepatitis A. It is very important to wash your hands, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing meals or eating. Do not drink well water or in any case of uncertain origin. As far as food is concerned, it is very important to avoid raw or undercooked seafood, because they can be a source of infection. Fruits and vegetables should always be washed thoroughly before consumption and peeled whenever possible.
