Inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus.
It is transmitted because the virus eliminated from an infected person through the faeces reached the digestive tube of a healthy person (faecal-oral contagion). It can be transmitted through direct contact person-to-person, or by consuming contaminated foods or fluids.
After approximately an incubating period of a month, nausea, vomits, general malaise, fever, abdominal pain and a lack of an appetite come to the surface. It is followed by a darkening of the urine (choluria), pale faeces (acholia) and yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes (jaundice). Itching of the skin, rashes and joint pain can also be other manifestations.
Diagnosis is clinical through a questioning, a physical exploration and detecting antibodies against the hepatitis A virus in the blood.
Symptoms should be treated with analgesics, antipyretics and ensuring a correct hydration. It is recommended to boost hygiene measures to prevent infections.
- Michelle Lai, MD, MPH. Sanjiv Chopra, MD, MACP. Hepatitis A virus infection in adults: An overview. UpToDate, Oct 17, 2016.
- World Health Organization. Global Alert and Response (GAR): Hepatitis A. http://www.who.int/csr/disease/hepatitis/whocdscsredc2007/en/index4.html#estimated (Accessed on July 13, 2016).
- Bohm SR, Berger KW, Hackert PB, et al. Hepatitis A outbreak among adults with developmental disabilities in group homes--Michigan, 2013. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2015; 64:148.
- Mutsch M, Spicher VM, Gut C, Steffen R. Hepatitis A virus infections in travelers, 1988-2004. Clin Infect Dis 2006; 42:490.
- Jules L. Dienstag. Hepatitis viral aguda. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 2. 19ª Edición. Página: 2004-2022.
- M. Brugera. Hepatitis vírica aguda. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna. Volumen I. Duodécima edición. Páginas: 290-297.
