Definition for Difference between revisions of "Hepatitis A"

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(Created page with " Hepatitis A is inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the liver from the hepatitis A virus. ==== Causes, incidence, and risk factors ==== The hepatitis A virus is foun...")
 
 
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 Hepatitis A is inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the liver from the hepatitis A virus.
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Hepatitis A is inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the liver from the hepatitis A virus.  
  
==== Causes, incidence, and risk factors ====
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==== Causes, incidence, and risk factors ====
  
The hepatitis A virus is found mostly in the stools and blood of an infected person about 15 - 45 days before symptoms occur and during the first week of illness.
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The hepatitis A virus is found mostly in the stools and blood of an infected person about 15 - 45 days before symptoms occur and during the first week of illness.  
  
'''You can catch hepatitis A if:'''
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'''You can catch hepatitis A if:'''  
  
*You eat or drink food or water that has been contaminated by stools (feces) containing the hepatitis A virus (fruits, vegetables, shellfish, ice, and water are common sources of the hepatitis A virus)
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*You eat or drink food or water that has been contaminated by stools (feces) containing the hepatitis A virus (fruits, vegetables, shellfish, ice, and water are common sources of the hepatitis A virus)  
*You come in contact with the stool or blood of a person who currently has the disease
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*You come in contact with the stool or blood of a person who currently has the disease  
*A person with hepatitis A does not wash his or her hands properly after going to the bathroom and touches other objects or food
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*A person with hepatitis A does not wash his or her hands properly after going to the bathroom and touches other objects or food  
 
*You participate in sexual practices that involve oral-anal contact
 
*You participate in sexual practices that involve oral-anal contact
  
About 3,600 cases of hepatitis A are reported each year. Because not everyone has symptoms with hepatitis A infection, many more people are infected than are diagnosed or reported.
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About 3,600 cases of hepatitis A are reported each year. Because not everyone has symptoms with hepatitis A infection, many more people are infected than are diagnosed or reported.  
  
'''Risk factors include:'''
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'''Risk factors include:'''  
  
*International travel, especially to Asia or South or Central America
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*International travel, especially to Asia or South or Central America  
*IV drug use
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*IV drug use  
*Living in a nursing home or rehabilitation center
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*Living in a nursing home or rehabilitation center  
 
*Working in a health care, food, or sewage industry
 
*Working in a health care, food, or sewage industry
  
Other common hepatitis virus infections include hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Hepatitis A is the least serious and mildest of these diseases. The other hepatitis infections may become chronic illnesses, but hepatitis A does not become chronic.
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Other common hepatitis virus infections include hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Hepatitis A is the least serious and mildest of these diseases. The other hepatitis infections may become chronic illnesses, but hepatitis A does not become chronic.  
  
==== Symptoms ====
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==== Symptoms ====
  
Symptoms will usually show up 2 - 6 weeks after being exposed to the hepatitis A virus. They are usually mild, but may last for up to several months, especially in adults.
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Symptoms will usually show up 2 - 6 weeks after being exposed to the hepatitis A virus. They are usually mild, but may last for up to several months, especially in adults.  
  
'''Symptoms include:'''
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'''Symptoms include:'''  
  
*Dark urine
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*Dark urine  
*Fatigue
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*Fatigue  
*Itching
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*Itching  
*Loss of appetite
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*Loss of appetite  
*Low-grade fever
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*Low-grade fever  
*Nausea and vomiting
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*Nausea and vomiting  
*Pale or clay-colored stools
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*Pale or clay-colored stools  
 
*Yellow skin (jaundice)
 
*Yellow skin (jaundice)

Latest revision as of 18:35, 20 April 2012

Hepatitis A is inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the liver from the hepatitis A virus.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The hepatitis A virus is found mostly in the stools and blood of an infected person about 15 - 45 days before symptoms occur and during the first week of illness.

You can catch hepatitis A if:

  • You eat or drink food or water that has been contaminated by stools (feces) containing the hepatitis A virus (fruits, vegetables, shellfish, ice, and water are common sources of the hepatitis A virus)
  • You come in contact with the stool or blood of a person who currently has the disease
  • A person with hepatitis A does not wash his or her hands properly after going to the bathroom and touches other objects or food
  • You participate in sexual practices that involve oral-anal contact

About 3,600 cases of hepatitis A are reported each year. Because not everyone has symptoms with hepatitis A infection, many more people are infected than are diagnosed or reported.

Risk factors include:

  • International travel, especially to Asia or South or Central America
  • IV drug use
  • Living in a nursing home or rehabilitation center
  • Working in a health care, food, or sewage industry

Other common hepatitis virus infections include hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Hepatitis A is the least serious and mildest of these diseases. The other hepatitis infections may become chronic illnesses, but hepatitis A does not become chronic.

Symptoms

Symptoms will usually show up 2 - 6 weeks after being exposed to the hepatitis A virus. They are usually mild, but may last for up to several months, especially in adults.

Symptoms include:

  • Dark urine
  • Fatigue
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Low-grade fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Pale or clay-colored stools
  • Yellow skin (jaundice)