
There is an alarming increase in cases of Hepatitis A among children during monsoon season. What are the preventive and treatment methods?
Team Udayavani, Sep 21, 2023, 3:39 PM IST

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the cause of hepatitis A, an inflammatory illness of the liver. Hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease as in hepatitis B and C. However, it can cause acute debilitating symptoms and, less frequently, fulminant hepatitis (rapid liver failure), which may prove fatal. Hepatitis A can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. In symptomatic cases, clinically it presents with a range of mild to severe symptoms including fever, malaise, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes).
Transmission
HAV is more common, especially in children under 10 and during the monsoon season. The disease typically spreads via the faecal-oral route, which is when an uninfected and unvaccinated person consumes contaminated food or water. Typically, people have a taste for fried, spicy street food during the monsoon season. Since they are frequently produced using unsafe water, reused oil for frying, presented, and consumed in less than optimal locations, street foods are typically unsanitary or not very healthy for ingestion and may harm the digestive system. Additionally, the wet and humid monsoon weather is perfect for germ spawning, raising the danger of illnesses.
A substantial risk of contracting HAV exists for those who live in unsanitary environments, lack access to clean water, practise poor personal hygiene, or share a home with an infected individual. Adults may potentially contract it through substance abuse and close physical (sexual) contact with an infectious person.
Treatment
Hepatitis A is managed symptomatically since there is no specific treatment for the condition. It may take weeks or months for symptoms to subside, and recovery could be gradual. Maintaining a healthy diet with foods that are nutritionally balanced and adequate hydration and fluid balance is crucial during the recovery.
Prevention
The best measures to prevent hepatitis A include getting vaccinated with the Hepatitis A vaccine, avoiding contaminated food, drinking safe water, increasing sanitation and personal hygiene, and avoiding close contact with those who are afflicted.
Dr. Rajiv Lochan, Lead Consultant – HPB and Liver Transplantation Surgery, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More

World AIDS Day 2023: Understanding and Preventing HIV/AIDS

Outdoor air pollution accounts for over 2 million deaths annually in India: BMJ study

Couples looking for destination weddings, more in India than abroad: Industry experts

Covid infection caused surge in preterm births, vaccines helped bring it down: US study

Stem cell therapy shows promise for treating multiple sclerosis – new study
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions

10-day Hornbill festival gets off to colourful start in Nagaland

‘Maximum global talk, minimum local walk’: Congress targets PM on his speech at COP-28

Nagarjuna Sagar dam row: ‘Andhra, Telangana agree to revert to water release terms as on Nov 28’

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza resume after weeklong truce with Hamas ends

Rich nations should completely reduce their carbon footprint ‘well before’ 2050: PM Modi