Hepatitis A
An acute infectious disease with primary inflammation of the liver,It is caused by Hepatitis A virus,It a common viral hepatic disorder.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Liver disease symptoms vary, depending on the underlying cause. However, there are some general symptoms that may indicate
WHO CAN BE INFECTED?
- Age: more frequent among children than adults; but people from all age groups may be affected
- Sex: both male and female are equally susceptible
HOW CAN IT BE TRANSMITTED?
- Contact with infected person's stool by: eating food made by a person infected who didn't wash hands after using bathroom or toilet
- Drinking untreated water or eating food washed in untreated water which was previously infected with the virus
- Placing finger or object in mouth that came into contact with an infected person's stool
- Through blood transfusion with infected blood and blood products or by skin penetration through contaminated needles
- Sexual transmission mostly among homosexuals because of oral-anal contact
YOU CANNOT GET HEPATITIS A FROM:
- Being coughed or sneezed on by an infected person
- Sitting next to an infected person
- Hugging an infected person
- Breastfeeding: a baby cannot get HEP A from an infected person
PREVENTION AND CONTROL MEASURES
Hepatitis is chronic, meaning they last for years and may never go away. But even chronic liver diseases can usually be managed.
- Personal hygienic practices: washing hands after visiting toilet; washing food with treated water; drinking treated water
- Handling patient's stuff like stool-containing clothes with gloves when washing
- Vaccines mostly to health person
TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Present the signs and symptoms to clinicians and doctors to be treated accordingly
WHERE TO GET TREATMENT
- District hospitals across the country
- Four central hospitals (Zomba central; QECH; Mzuzu central and Kamuzu central)
- Advanced private hospitals
