HEPATITIS

A
Gabriel, Mishael Alexia C.
Galamiton, Euredel S.
General Definition of Hepatitis A
● Self limiting disease caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV)

● Mostly affects the liver

● Usually transmitted person to person through fecal-oral route, ingestion

of contaminated water or food, direct contact with a person with hepatitis
A.

● Non-developed single-stranded RNA virus that is classified as picornavirus

● Replicates in hepatocytes causing liver dysfunction

● 14-28 days incubation period

Types of Hepatitis A
1. Acute Viral Hepatitis

2. Chronic Hepatitis

3. Toxic and Drug-induced Hepatitis

Types of Hepatitis A
1. Acute Viral Hepatitis

● Caused by one of the viral agents such as:

a. Hepatitis A virus (HAV)

b. Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

c. Hepatitis C virus (HCV)

d. HBV-associated hepatitis D virus (HDV)

e. Hepatitis E virus (HEV)

Types of Hepatitis A
2. Chronic Hepatitis

● Series of liver disorders of varying cause and severity in which hepatic

inflammation and necrosis occur for at least 6 months.
Types of Hepatitis A
3. Toxic and Drug-induced Hepatitis

● Caused by any xenobiotic that is ingested in the form of:

a. Industrial Toxins

b. Pharmacological Agents

c. Complementary and alternative medications that may cause serious liver injury
History of Hepatitis A
● In 1973, Stephen Feinstone first recognized and identified Hepatitis A
● Described as a small, non-enveloped, positive single-stranded RNA virus
that was found in the stools of human volunteers who were infected with
HAV.
● Separated from other types of hepatitis during World War II.
● Enterovirus virus type 72 which belongs to picornaviridae.
● It is also a self-limiting disease in which the illness resolves itself even
without specific treatments.

● The first vaccine for hepatitis A became available in 1995.

Epidemiology
● Hepatitis A infection occurs globally and an estimated value of 1.4 million
cases happen every year.
● The main route of transmission is through the fecal-oral route which can
either be a person-to-person contact or by ingestion of contaminated
water or food.
● Although the incidence HAV has declined since the implementation of
vaccinations, outbreaks have occurred via importation of contaminated
food or water from areas where HAV is endemic.
Signs & Symptoms
● In most cases, the infection is asymptomatic. For those with symptoms,
below are some examples:
a. Fever
b. Malaise
c. Loss of apetite
d. Diarrhea
e. Nausea
f. Abdominal Discomfort
g. Dark-Colored Urine
h. Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the white of the eyes)

*jaundice and dark urine caused by build up of bilirubin

Diagnosis of Hepatitis A
● HAV IgM antibody test

○ Detects the first antibody produced when the body is exposed to hepatitis A.

● Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)

○ Used to detect the presence of hepatitis A virus in the RNA.

Transmission
● Fecal-oral route is the main transmission of hepatitis A.

● It can also be transmitted parenterally through contact with HAV

contaminated blood or other body fluids.

● Ingestion of food that has been contaminated with the feces of an

infected person

● Consumption of raw or undercooked shellfish that was handled by an

infectious person

● Poor sanitation or hygiene

Treatment
● No specific medicine to cure the patient or shorten the course of illness.

● The body will clear the hepatitis A virus on its own and in most cases, the
liver will heal within six months with no further damage.
Prevention
● To avoid contraction of Hepatitis A virus:

○ Ensure adequate supplies of safe drinking water and food

○ Proper disposal of sewage within communities

○ Regular hand washing

● To reduce the risk of passing hepatitis to others:

○ Avoid sexual activity

○ Wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet
○ Do not prepare food for others if actively infected
● Vaccination
Hepa A Vaccine
● Safe and effective in preventing the Hepatitis A virus.

● Readily available in the market

● Has 3 main types

a. Hepatitis A vaccine only

b. Combined vaccine against Hepatitis A & B
c. Combined vaccine against Hepatitis A and Typhoid fever
Healthcare programs of the
government
● World Hepatitis Day - July 28

● National Hepatitis Prevention and Control Program (DOH)

● Republic Act 10526: Liver Cancer, Viral Hepatitis Awareness and

Prevention Month Act – January