Hepatitis A (HAV) - Hep A
Hepatitis is the name given to a group of viruses which cause
inflammation
and swelling of the liver.
The name, "Hepatitis", although now commonly applied to the various
strains and subtypes of virus, actually means "inflammation or swelling
of the liver".
There are several strains of virus which cause hepatitis, the most commonly
occurring ones being; Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).
People who have the hepatitis virus may not show any signs or symptoms
of infection or the disease may develop over a period of weeks or months.
At particular risk for all hepatitis infections is anyone who uses street
drugs since concealment of drugs within the mouth, vagina or rectum
at some stage during their transportation to the end user is not an
uncommon practice.
Hepatitis A (HAV) - Hep A
Hepatitis A (HAV) is predominantly spread by coming into contact
with the feces (poop) of an infected person.
Hepatitis A will often occur as a form of food poisoning if an infected
person uses the bathroom and does not wash their hands properly before
handling food.
It is also possible for hepatitis A to be spread through sexual contact
although this is relatively rare, however the virus can survive outside
the human body for several hours and therefore close sexual contact
with someone who has hepatitis A may result in the infection being spread
particularly if anal sex is practiced.
At risk from hepatitis A are those people whose work or lifestyle brings
them into contact with infected people or animals.
Infection with hepatitis A, although serious, does not develop into
the long-term form (chronic) of the disease although some people who
contract it may be ill for a period of several months.
Hepatitis A Symptoms
Symptoms of hepatitis A may include any, or all, of the following:
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flu-like symptoms
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jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the
whites of the eye)
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loss of appetite
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abdominal pain
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nausea
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vomiting
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diarrhea
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fatigue
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fever
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Hepatitis A Treatment
Hepatitis A treatment consists mainly on prevention through vaccination
and of course, good hygiene practices. Vaccination is recommended if
you plan on traveling to a part of the world where hepatitis A is common,
or if your choice of lifestyle puts you at high risk of coming into
contact with the virus, such as men who have sex with men, injecting
drug users or consumers of street drugs.
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