The disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus can spread due to poor sanitation
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, Jakarta – Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection and is usually short-term. Unlike hepatitis B and C which can become chronic, hepatitis A is acute. Hepatitis A has been identified as the leading cause of fulminant liver failure in a number of countries such as Korea, Argentina and Brazil.
“In countries with high endemicity, viral infections Hepatitis A usually found in poor sanitary and socioeconomic conditions. Infection usually occurs before the child is five years old, “said Vaccine Medical Director of GlaxoSmithKline Indonesia (GSK), dr. Deliana Permatasari in Jakarta, Saturday (10/10).
He explained that hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus. This virus can be found in the feces and blood of infected people. Contact with this virus can occur in a variety of scenarios.
First, it can spread from direct and close contact with an infected individual. For example, when treating those who have hepatitis A.
“Hepatitis A is very contagious, even those who are infected hepatitis A virus can spread this virus before they feel the symptoms of hepatitis A, “explained Deliana.
Second, infection through contaminated food or drink. Food contaminated with the hepatitis A virus can occur at any time, from the manufacturing stage to after the food is cooked. Contamination of food and drink is often encountered on a daily basis.
According to Deliana, not everyone infected with hepatitis A will have symptoms. Symptoms of hepatitis A are generally encountered when the virus infects adults rather than children. There are several symptoms commonly experienced including fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and joint pain. Other symptoms are severe stomach pain and diarrhea and aundice (yellow skin or eyes, dark urine).
“These symptoms usually appear 2 to 7 weeks after exposure to the virus. It usually lasts less than 2 months, although some people can go as long as 6 months, ”said Deliana.
He emphasized that there is no drug that can get rid of the hepatitis A virus. Usually doctors will treat those infected with hepatitis A until the symptoms disappear, and do the tests again to make sure the body is recovering to normal.
However, there are two ways to prevent hepatitis A. First, maintain cleanliness in the form of washing hands with soap and water. Washing hands needs to be done after using the toilet, changing diapers, before preparing food and before eating.
Second, get vaccinated against hepatitis A. The effectiveness of the vaccine to prevent hepatitis A in children is about 85 percent and can last for 15 to 20 years.
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