Hepatitis A virus: (infectious hepatitis):
Properties:
1. It is a member of picorna group of enterovirus
2. Single stranded RNA virus with one serotype
3. Non-enveloped, Icosahedral nucleocapsid
4. Replicate in the cytoplasm, inactivated by heat
5. HAV is highly infectious and spread by the faeco-oral route
NOTE: Infected individuals also may be asymptomatic, excrete the virus in faeces for about 2-3 weeks before the onset of symptoms and then for a further 2 weeks or so.
Commonly spread by eating or drinking something (or putting something in your mouth such as utensil) that has been contaminated by the stool of a person with hepatitis A.
Pathogenesis of Hepatitis A Virus:
Lab. Diagnosis of Hepatitis A Virus:
2. A four-fold rise in IgG Ab titer
No specific treatment is given. Supportive treatment is given to manage the sign and symptoms.
Patients are given the following advice:
1. Take adequate rest
2. Drink plenty of water
3. Avoid fatty food and alcohol
4. Have a well-balanced diet
85% patients recover within 3 months and almost all recover within 6 months.
Prevention of Hepatitis A Virus:
A. Control of reservoir by:
2. Complete bed rest
B. Control of transmission of Hepatitis A Virus:
1. Hand washing before eating and after toilet
2. Sanitary disposal of excreta
3. Purification of community water supply
C. Control of susceptible population:
Human Ig is indicated to induce passive immunity in:
1. Susceptible person travelling to highly endemic area
2. Close personal contact of patients with HAV
3. To
control the outbreak in institutes. Dose 0.02 ml/ Kg BW
 |
| Structure of Hepatitis A virus |
Properties:
1. It is a member of picorna group of enterovirus
2. Single stranded RNA virus with one serotype
3. Non-enveloped, Icosahedral nucleocapsid
4. Replicate in the cytoplasm, inactivated by heat
5. HAV is highly infectious and spread by the faeco-oral route
 |
| Some facts about Hepatitis A virus |
NOTE: Infected individuals also may be asymptomatic, excrete the virus in faeces for about 2-3 weeks before the onset of symptoms and then for a further 2 weeks or so.
Transmission of Hepatitis A virus:
- Faeco-oral route. e.g. poor sanitation, overcrowding, poor personal hygiene
- Contaminated food and drink
Pathogenesis of Hepatitis A Virus:
1. Through
contaminated food and drink the virus enters the body
2. Replicates
in the GIT
3. Enters
the blood
4. Spreads
to the liver
5. Hepatocellular
injury
6. Hepatitis A
Clinical Features / Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis A Virus infection:
 |
| Jaundice |
- Jaundice (condition causing yellow eyes and skin, dark urine
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Bile is removed from blood stream and excreted in urine, giving it a dark amber colour
- Clay-coloured feces
- Fatigue
Lab. Diagnosis of Hepatitis A Virus:
1. Detection
of Anti-HAV (IgM)
2. A four-fold rise in IgG Ab titer
Treatment of Hepatitis A:
No specific treatment is given. Supportive treatment is given to manage the sign and symptoms.
Patients are given the following advice:
1. Take adequate rest
2. Drink plenty of water
3. Avoid fatty food and alcohol
4. Have a well-balanced diet
85% patients recover within 3 months and almost all recover within 6 months.
Prevention of Hepatitis A Virus:
 |
| Maintain good personal hygiene |
A. Control of reservoir by:
1. Notification
2. Complete bed rest
B. Control of transmission of Hepatitis A Virus:
1. Hand washing before eating and after toilet
2. Sanitary disposal of excreta
3. Purification of community water supply
C. Control of susceptible population:
Human Ig is indicated to induce passive immunity in:
1. Susceptible person travelling to highly endemic area
2. Close personal contact of patients with HAV
That's all for today!
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If you liked this article and found it helpful then please share it with your friends and family and please consider becoming our Patron or buying us a coffee through PayPal. Your support enables us to continue blogging and help people. Also make sure your subscribe to our Newsletter so that you don't miss out on our future posts! Thanks!
A nice concise overview of hepatitis A. Nice refresher... thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome :)
ReplyDeletesuper
ReplyDeleteeasily understand
ReplyDeletethank u sir