DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Hepatologic Disease

Hepatitis A

MODERATE

A highly contagious, vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by hepatitis A virus. Transmitted through fecal-oral route, typically via contaminated food/water or close contact. Usually self-limited with full recovery and no chronic infection. Common in areas with poor sanitation.

Global Affected

1.5M

Countries

111

Symptoms

Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain (especially upper right)
Loss of appetite
Low-grade fever
Dark urine
Clay-colored stool
Joint pain
Intense itching
Jaundice

Treatment Options

Supportive care
Rest
Adequate nutrition
Hydration
Avoid alcohol
Avoid hepatotoxic medications
Hospitalization (severe cases)

Risk Factors

1Travel to endemic areas
2Close contact with infected person
3Men who have sex with men
4Injection drug use
5Food handlers
6Daycare workers/attendees
7Contaminated food/water

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1HAV IgM antibody (acute infection)
  • 2HAV IgG antibody (past infection/immunity)
  • 3Liver function tests
  • 4Bilirubin levels
  • 5PT/INR

Prognosis

Excellent; self-limited illness with complete recovery in 99% of cases. No chronic carrier state. Mortality <0.5% (higher in adults and those with chronic liver disease). Lifelong immunity after infection. Rarely causes acute liver failure.

Prevention

  • Hepatitis A vaccination
  • Hand washing
  • Safe food/water practices
  • Immune globulin (post-exposure)
  • Travel precautions

Research Status

Highly effective vaccines (HAVRIX, VAQTA) since 1990s provide lifelong immunity. Immune globulin for post-exposure prophylaxis. Treatment is supportive; no specific antiviral. Vaccination of high-risk groups and universal childhood vaccination effective. Outbreaks continue among unvaccinated populations.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilRussiaSwedenNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkNorwayFinlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesSouth AfricaNigeriaEgyptTurkeyIranSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOmanJordanLebanonSyriaYemenIraqAfghanistanPakistanBangladeshLKNPMMKHLAMNKazakhstanUzbekistanTMKGTJAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMEMKSerbiaXKMexicoArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicCuba

Sources

  • https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/index.htm
  • https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-a
  • https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/viral-hepatitis/hepatitis-a

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.