Hepatitis A Causative agent

Virus

Affects the liver

Symptomatic 2-6 weeks after exposure

Speaker notes: Hepatitis A is caused by a virus. Symptoms of hepatitis A include dark-colored urine, pale stools, chronic fatigue (with no other explanation), itching, anorexia (loss of appetite) and nausea, fever, vomiting, and jaundice. The symptoms usually present manifest 2-6 weeks after the initial exposure (Zieve 2011). To test for the disease, the doctor may test for raised IgM and IgG antibodies to hepatitis A and elevated liver enzymes through liver function tests (Zieve 2011). Persons in high-risk occupations may wish to be periodically tested.

Reservoir

Food and water

Stool and blood

Sexual contact

Speaker notes: Disease reservoirs for hepatitis A include food that has been contaminated by the feces of carriers of the disease; contaminated water or ice; direct contact with stool or blood of persons with the disease; and sexual contact. To protect against food-borne transmission requires careful hand-washing, and the use of clean, sanitary water when growing or washing food or storing food in ice. Careful hand-washing is also required to ensure contact does not occur through touching other contaminated objects. To prevent sexual transmission, condoms are required. Because the disease can be transmitted through blood, IV drug users are also at great risk.

Slide 3: Portal of exit

Through fluids: feces or semen

Refraining from contact is essential

Hand-washing

Speaker notes: The primary portals of exit of hepatitis A are through fluids -- either feces or semen. Persons who are currently infected with hepatitis A should...

It should be noted that given the status of being positive for the virus is not permanent and over 85% of infected persons recover within three months, refraining from high-risk contact is a reasonable and not particularly onerous precaution to take (Zieve 2011).
Infected persons should refrain from sexual conduct or inform their sexual partners and wear condoms. Even if not infected, all workers in contact with the public such as food service workers and healthcare professionals should engage in frequent hand-washing. They may be unaware that they are infected. Although it is considered the least 'serious' form of hepatitis infection, the 3,600 cases of hepatitis A that are reported annually likely reflects underreporting, given that the disease is often symptomatic (Zieve 2011). Also, by touching affected areas, they may spread the disease even if they not a carrier, if they touch the broken skin of someone or come in contact with infected food or water. IV drug users should not share needles. All unused food and medical waste should be properly disposed of and not reused or left lying around, where persons can come in contact with the infection unwittingly.

Slide 4: Mode of transmission

Food service, intercourse, and IV drug use are the most direct methods of transmission

Many carriers are asymptomatic

Speaker notes: Food, sexual practices, and IV drug use are the major modes of transmission. Given this, it is wise for all persons to wash their hands after coming into contact with someone else's bodily fluids (Zieve 2011). Even if asymptomatic, the person may still be a carrier. Avoiding potentially contaminated food and water is also essential. This includes…