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Hepatitis A:
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A
virus, Hepatitis A can affect anyone. Hepatitis A can occur in situations
ranging from isolated cases of disease to widespread epidemics.
Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation can help prevent hepatitis A.
Vaccines are also available for long-term prevention of hepatitis A virus
infection in persons 2 years of age and older. Immune globulin is available for
short-term prevention of hepatitis A virus infection in individuals of all
ages.
Adults will have following signs and symptoms more often than
children.
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Jaundice
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Fatigue
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Abdominal Pain
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Loss of appetite
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Nausea
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Diarrhea
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Fever
There
is no chronic (long-term) infection. Once you have had hepatitis A you cannot
get it again. About 15% of people infected with HAV will have prolonged or
relapsing symptoms over a 6-9 month period.
HAV
is found in the stool (feces) of persons with hepatitis A. Hence the HAV is
usually spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth ( even
though it may look clean) that has been contaminated with the stool of a person
with hepatitis A.
| PERSONS AT RISK
OF INFECTION |
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Household contacts of infected persons.
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Sex contacts of infected persons
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Persons, especially children, living in areas with increased
rates of hepatitis A.
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Persons traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common.
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Men who have sex with men.
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Injecting and non injecting drug users.
Hepatitis
A vaccine is the best protection. Short-term protection against hepatitis A is
available from immune globulin. It can be given before and within 2 weeks after
coming in contact with HAV. Always wash your hands with soap and water after
using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before preparing and eating food.
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