Hepatitis A
Hepatitis is a serious disease that affects one of the most important organs of human's organism- the liver. It causes liver's inflammation and its functionality. Hepatitis is considered to be a dangerous disease because it is hardly identified and has a long lasting and meticulous treatment. Depending on illness progression stage there are 5 kinds of Hepatitis: A, B, C, D and E.
Hepatitis A and B are the only types that can lead to STDs. Both kinds of hepatitis are primarily transmitted by contact with the infected individual's contaminated semen, mucus, blood or saliva. Sexual activity features a different level of risk for any type of viral hepatitis. Nevertheless it more associated with Hepatitis B virus [HBV].
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a viral liver's infection and is caused by the Hepatitis A virus [HAV]. The highly contagious disease is the most common and frequently met type of Hepatitis reported with at least 1.4 million people worldwide.
Hepatitis A transmission
Generally HAV is transmitted through different ways. For instance through:
- oral-fecal contact;
- contaminated food or water;
- sexual contact, especially through oral-anal sex;
- eating uncooked or raw contaminated shellfish
Hepatitis A symptoms
The average period of hepatitis virus incubation in human body is 28 days. First appearance of disease's symptoms appears 6 weeks to 5 months after infection. They are very mild sometimes and that is why may be attributed to something else. Children usually experience fewer symptoms than the adults do.
Hepatitis A symptoms for both men and women are the same and include:
- dark urine and pale feces;
- fevers off and on and headaches;diarrhea;
- weakness;
- lack of appetite;
- fatigue;
- nausea and vomiting;
- yellowing of the skin and eyes' sclera; dull pain in upper abdomen.
How to prevent the spread of Hepatitis A?
These significant rules might be taken into consideration for preventing hepatitis virus transmission (HVT):
- While intercourse use latex condoms!
- Have sex with only one uninfected partner!
- Take care of your personal hygiene, especially hand washing after using the toilet!
- Do not touch sores and rashes!
- Use a 10% solution of household bleach for cleaning up any blood spills!
- Do not pre-chew food for babies if you are infected!
Do not use anything that could have an infected person's blood on it for instance:
- instruments used for body's piercing;
- cocaine straws and drug needles;
- nail clippers;
- razors;
- tooth brushes
Be acquainted with all these recommendations and suggestions! Remember them for preventing any infection!
For a better prevention from Hepatitis A the vaccine is required. Clinical trials have noticed that the vaccine is effective in preventing the disease in about 95% of persons ho were exposed. Reduce the contamination risk by getting vaccinated! The highly effective vaccine is combined with immune globulin for maximum protection. The vaccine against Hepatitis A is required for those individuals who travel in endemic regions. They can contract the disease in the most expansive hotels, restaurants and resorts, even if staying in luxury accommodation.
The vaccine is undoubtedly recommended in several cases. The contamination with HAV's risk is high for men who have sex with men, for illegal drug users, personnel working with virus infected primates in a research laboratory setting. Also the risk increases for chronic liver disease patients, persons who use clotting- factor concentrates hemophiliacs, people with AIDS and for children before starting school.
The vaccine is not recommended for food service, sewerage and health-care workers, for children under 2 years of age and pregnant women.
How to treat hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a self-resolving illness and has no cure. It heals spontaneously and doesn't carry future complications. Individuals with severe infections will experience short period illness and then recover entirely. They are advised by the specialists to rest for a month and to avoid intimate contact with other persons. Some doctors recommend a low-fat diet, no alcohol, sedatives and narcotics. Once recovered the patient is immune and will never get this disease again.
Fortunately, Hepatitis A can rarely bring complications or death. But if it is not completely treated it can become a chronic carrier. That means that you will always be infectious. Also it can lead to chronic liver complications and even cancer in the initial stages.
We should pay more attention to our sexual life. Health generally depends only on us. Hepatitis can be easily prevented and healed. So, use the relevant information for avoiding future misunderstandings and complications. Think of your future, protect yourself and do not let diseases attack your body!
