Hepatitis A
Description of the disease
Hepatitis A (Botkin's disease, jaundice) is an infectious disease that affects the liver, resulting in intoxication and other related symptoms.
The virus is persistent in the environment, and infection occurs through the fecal-oral route through:
- unwashed hands
- polluted water
- products,
- household items.
After the disease, a person acquires lifelong immunity.
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Treatment
Treatment in the conditions of an infectious disease hospital.
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Prevention
Given the specificity and wide spread of the disease, children are at risk, therefore, mandatory vaccination of children is required.
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Symptoms
The incubation period is 2-6 weeks (humans are particularly contagious). After the manifestation, the symptoms persist for 1-4 weeks:
- High temperature, lethargy, decreased appetite
- Jaundice (dark urine, discolored stools, yellowing of the skin and/or sclera)
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
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Diagnostics
Diagnosis of hepatitis A is a laboratory blood test for detection of HAV-specific Ig A, M, G antibodies.