HEPATITIS A AND JAUNDICE
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a viral infection of the liver. Different viruses cause hepatitis, but they all produce a very similar illness that usually starts with flu like symptoms, progressing suddenly to loss of appetite, fatigue, fever, and nausea and vomiting. Smokers notice a sudden distaste for cigarettes. A rash and aching joints sometimes occur. Between 3 and 10 days later, the urine becomes dark and jaundice (yellowish skin and eyes) appears. Most people feel better at this point, even though the jaundice becomes worse. The jaundice worsens for 1 to 2 weeks, then begins to fade over 2 to 4 weeks. Hepatitis usually resolves completely, but occasionally complications develop, including chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, or even liver failure.
Hepatitis A Facts:
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Jaundice (yellowness of eyes, skin and urine) is most commonly due to hepatitis A infection.
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Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are two different diseases.
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Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food and water and close person to person contact.
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Vaccination with Hepatitis B vaccine can not afford protection against Hepatitis A and vice versa.
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Raw or insufficiently cooked food (fruits, vegetable salads, seafood) or cooked food handled by an infected individual can be a source of Hepatitis A infection.
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You and your child may be at risk of getting exposed to hepatitis A infection at schools/nurseries/day care centers / swimming pools etc.
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Once infected, hepatitis A can cause loss of school days or work for 6 weeks to 3 months and in some cases may lead to severe liver disease which could be fatal.
General preventive measures include
Ensuring proper sanitation.
Maintaining personal hygiene.
Avoiding contaminated food and water.