Liver virus disease is the general name of systemic infections in our body, but it causes severe damage to the liver.
Viral hepatitis can be divided into two, which are as follows:
1. Nonhepatotropic viruses: - They usually cause mild infections without chronic disease.
In this, the following different types of viruses are included, and they are:-
They are CMV, EBV, HSV, Mumps, Varicella, yellow fever, and many more.
2. Hepatotropic Viruses
These viruses are the leading cause of hepatitis, almost all of which are caused by at least one of the five viral agents.
Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
Hepatitis D Virus (HDV)
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV)
What are the transmission routes of the hepatitis virus?
- In sexual relations
- Needle sharing
- due to waste (feco-oral)
- from mother to child
- Blood transfusion, in different body fluids
The incubation period is the period after transmission of the disease until symptoms appear.
HAV: 15-45 days
HBV and HDV: 30-180 days
HCV: 15-160 days
HEV: 14-60 days
Acute stages of hepatitis/(Acute Viral Hepatitis phases)
I. The prodromal phase
At this time, they usually have the same reactions as other diseases, but do not show typical features. Instead, they show non-specific common symptoms, which are:-
- Nausea
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Feeling nervous
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Arthralgia
- Headache
- Neck stiffness
- May include a dull ache.
II. Icteric phase
At this time, the liver cells are obsessed with death (hepatocellular necrosis) and a decrease in number is seen.
Namely:
- Cholestasis
- Dark urine and pale stool
- Itching
- Weight loss
- palmar erythema
- Symptoms of severe liver failure (fulminant liver failure) may be seen.
III. Recovery stage/(Recovery phase)
Acute liver disease can progress to acute hepatitis with significant improvement in symptoms within 1-4 weeks. However, HBV, HCV, and HDV can all progress to chronic liver disease.
IV. Convalescence phase:-
After 3-4 weeks, the recovery phase includes the period when the symptoms of the liver disease completely disappear and the laboratory results return to normal.
Note: All types of acute viral hepatitis can present with similar clinical symptoms.
Next, we will learn about each liver virus separately
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A infection is a specific type of liver disease caused by a virus.
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection occurs worldwide. So far, the known evidence shows that it only infects humans. HAV infection is usually a non-chronic disease that resolves on its own over time.
Although hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection occurs worldwide, the infection rate is much higher in developing countries such as ours.
Among travelers from developed countries such as the United States to developing countries, about three in 1,000 travelers who stay in luxury hotels contract hepatitis A each month, and about 20 in 1,000 travelers who eat or drink in unsanitary conditions get hepatitis A each month.
How can I get the hepatitis A virus?
The most common way for the hepatitis A virus to spread is when an infected person touches food, another person's face, or another person's mouth after using the bathroom and not washing their hands.
The Hepatitis A virus is very common in areas with inadequate or poor sanitation. Studies suggest that most people infected have had personal contact with an infected person. Epidemics can also occur by drinking contaminated well water or eating contaminated food.
In one study, the hepatitis A virus was detected in water for up to six months after initial contamination.
Hepatitis A virus symptoms (HAV symptoms)—The hepatitis A virus usually causes a sudden and short-lasting illness.
The severity of the symptoms depends on the age of the patient.
The first symptoms are usually:
- Fatigue,
-nausea,
- Nausea,
- notice,
- loss of appetite,
- Fever (> 38ºC above) and
-Pain on the right side of the abdomen under the ribs.
As the disease progresses, they show other symptoms, among them:-
- Urine with a bright color change,
- Discolored stools,
- Yellow-colored skin, (jaundice) or
- Yellowing of the white of the eye (icteric sclera) and
- Includes pruritis.
Hepatitis A Virus Diagnosis (HAV Diagnosis)- A person is diagnosed with hepatitis A virus based on symptoms or physical examination and blood tests. The blood test is positive five days before symptoms appear and can remain positive for up to six months after symptoms appear.
Hepatitis A Treatment — There is no cure for the hepatitis A virus, although most people recover with supportive care at home, including rest.
The time required for recovery depends on the condition of the individual.
Generally, the person may not have to return to work or school until the symptoms of fever and jaundice have returned and appetite has improved.
During recovery, it's important to avoid alcohol and certain over-the-counter and prescription medications (eg, acetaminophen/acetaminophen), as these can worsen liver damage.
People who drink alcohol regularly (eg 7 to 14 drinks a week) should limit their use of paracetamol, even if they are not infected with the hepatitis A virus, as it can damage the liver.
Unlike other forms of hepatitis, people with hepatitis A do not develop the chronic liver disease as a result of the infection.
If a person is infected with the hepatitis A virus, he cannot be re-infected
Hepatitis A virus infection can be prevented by several strategies.
1. Hand Hygiene - Hand washing is an important and effective way to prevent the spread of infection
Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water for 15 to 30 seconds, paying special attention to the nails, between the fingers, and even the knuckles, and then dried with a clean towel.
- After changing a diaper or touching something dirty
- Before preparing and eating food
- After going to the toilet
- After washing dirty or dirty clothes, they should be washed thoroughly.
2. Safe food preparation — Taking precautions when preparing food reduces the chance of illness.
—> Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk or foods containing unpasteurized milk.
—> Wash raw fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.
—>Use fast-cooking, perishable or ready-to-eat foods.
—> Separate raw meat, fish, and poultry products from other cooked foods.
—> After handling uncooked food, wash your hands, knives, and utensils thoroughly
—> Cook food thoroughly at a safe temperature
—> Eat cooked foods as soon as possible and never keep them out for more than two hours.
3. Hepatitis A vaccine —— There are two vaccines available to prevent hepatitis A virus infection. The vaccines are called VAQTA and HAVRIX. Both are equally effective. The first dose of either vaccine usually provides adequate short-term protection, and subsequent doses provide long-term protection. But it is not given in our country yet.
🪄Hepatitis A virus vaccine is recommended for all at-risk adults.
Post-exposure prophylaxis - If a person has been exposed to hepatitis A and has not previously received the hepatitis A vaccine, a dose of the vaccine or immune globulin should be given as soon as possible. But it is not given in our country yet.
In the next post, we will see hepatitis B
0 Comments