What is hepatitis A?
Today there are a huge number of diseases,Only from the names of which goose bumps start running around the skin. Such diseases include hepatitis. But it is worth remembering that there are six basic forms of hepatitis, among which hepatitis A is the least terrible virus.
Disease definition
Wishing to understand the reasons for anyillness, it is necessary to determine the ways of its infection. If you are unfamiliar with what is hepatitis A, you should remember the main thing: it is, in the first place, a viral disease, which is most often transmitted by the household method. Disease bacteria can be found on unwashed fruits or vegetables. Also, the hepatitis A virus can remain in contaminated food or water if they do not undergo heat treatment. The cause of infection can be non-compliance with basic rules of personal hygiene.
In people, hepatitis A is also called Botkin's disease,the name of the scientist of the second half of the nineteenth century, who first considered hepatitis as a separate disease. The disease can flow through three scenarios: asymptomatic, when a person does not even know that he is infected; acute, when there are all signs of the disease and it is easy to recognize; chronically, when the treatment of the disease can last up to 9 months.
The appearance of disease
The signs of hepatitis A can be different. The first and main sign of the disease in the people is jaundice, that is, dyeing the skin of the person and eye proteins in a yellowish color. Interestingly, jaundice is the peak moment of the disease, after it a person begins to gradually recover. Among the signs of the disease may also be an uncharacteristic for a healthy person, staining the urine in a dark, tea or beer-like color and discoloration of stool.
Symptoms of hepatitis A
The first symptoms of hepatitis Abe an ordinary headache and fever, chills are possible. Therefore, it is easy for an inexperienced person to mix the symptoms of hepatitis A with symptoms of an ordinary flu. Also for hepatitis A is characterized by weakness in the whole body, skin rashes and joint pain. And since the disease of hepatitis A disrupted the normal operation of the gastrointestinal tract, there may be diarrhea and vomiting, as well as aversion mainly to fatty foods.
Diagnostic procedures
A comprehensive diagnosis of hepatitis A is possibleonly in medical institutions. When the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will take all the necessary tests and put the correct diagnosis. It is worth preparing for the delivery of blood, it will be a general and biochemical blood test. There will also be a coagulogram - a test of blood for clotting, and the surrender of urine for analysis. The physician-therapist should direct the patient to give an analysis on the markers of viral hepatitis to determine the form of the disease.
The course of the disease and its consequences
Hepatitis A is a disease that is not very serious,but its treatment in some cases can be delayed for a long time. On average, the disease can last more than 30 days, but can last for six months in acute or chronic form of hepatitis. The reason for this may be the state of immunity and age. The older the person, the harder the disease goes. Also, hepatitis A is hard enough for infants.
Still, do not panic afraid of getting infectedsuch a disease as hepatitis A. The consequences of the disease, although they remain for life, but usually do not make themselves felt for quite a long time. Most often the disease is cured without consequences. In rare cases, the chronic form of hepatitis A can lead to more serious liver diseases, such as cirrhosis or cancer. The lethal outcome with such a disease is even smaller.
Cure hepatitis A can, but the best optionwill warn the disease. Today there are vaccines, the use of which can protect people from infection with this virus. Therefore, vaccination, as well as compliance with hygiene rules, the use of high-quality food and water will help prevent infection with hepatitis A.