Hepatitis A as One of the Diseases: Transmission of HAV - Research Paper Example

Hepatitis A Generally, hepatitis refers to the inflammation of the liver and is caused by different viruses like hepatitis A,B, C, D or E (Mushahwar.1); therefore, Hepatitis A is the irritation of the liver caused by infection of with the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) (Davis 1). Since hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver, it impairs the function of the liver and can therefore lead to individual’ death if not treated. Transmission of HAV is mainly through fecal–oral route especially when a person ingests fecal matter that could be available in food or drinks (Mushahwar 1). Coming into contact with feces of an infected person is one way through which hepatitis A can be acquired or transmitted from one person to the other. Moreover, if a person fails to wash their hands appropriately after using bathroom, they can get infected (Gallagher 9); furthermore, hepatitis A can be transmitted to those individuals engaging in oral or anal sex especially with those that are infected as well as through blood transfusion, although this situation happens occasionally (Mushahwar 2). In addition, transmission of HAV though the consumption of contaminated food and water can be associated with increased outbreaks of this disease globally. Normally, the incubation period of hepatitis A is between 14 and 28 days (WHO), but everyone’s body responds to it differently and exhibit different symptoms of the disease. Some individuals may not show any sign at all but they are infected with this virus; for instance, individuals with subclinical hepatitis have neither symptoms nor jaundice (Mushahwar 8). Moreover, signs and symptoms of Hepatitis B are more predominant in adults than in children since children have more mild reaction to Hepatitis A as opposed to adults. Symptoms of hepatitis A are jaundice, dark urine, extreme fatigue, vomiting, nausea, colored stool among others (Davis 3), but jaundice occurs in more than 70 % HAV infection cases (WHO). Hepatitis A virus has been known to be one of the oldest diseases affecting humankind, and it was discovered by Steven Feinstone in early 1990’s. The recommended diagnosis of hepatitis A is “testing the patients’ sera for the presence of certain anti-viral antibodies” (Mushahwar 1), whereby a positive test for anti-HAV is an indication that a person has been exposed to this virus before or is infected. Moreover, this virus can be diagnosed through determining HAV antibody in the feces (Mushahwar 9). Arguably, people who are susceptible to HAV infection are those that not vaccinated against hepatitis A, travelers exploring places where the virus is endemic, men having sex with men, and people with chronic liver disease (WHO). Additionally, injecting drug users with unsterilized needles and medical personnel in hospitals are also at risk of HAV infection (Mushahwar 13). However, hepatitis A can be avoided by washing hands and engaging in safe sexual activities and by doing this, this endemic disease can be eradicated easily. In most cases, hepatitis is a treatable disease, but leads to death on rare occasion especially when diagnosed late or not treated (Gallagher 8). There are low infection rates the United States and other wealthy states since they are aware of proper hygiene (Gallagher 10); nevertheless, research shows that people aged five to forty are the most vulnerable to HAV infection. According to WHO, about 33, 288 people were infected in 1976, but when the vaccine was administered, this number reduced to seven, 653. This is a clear indication that the use of vaccine in preventing HAV is effective and can help in reducing this infection. Moreover, proper hygiene should be individual’s main concern since worldwide outbreaks and localized infections are very common in areas with poor sanitation. Some of the places that are at a higher risk of HAV infection are Africa, Southeast Asia, Middle East as well as some parts of South America. In these places, HAV infection is mainly spread through person-to-person contact by the fecal oral route, as well as contaminated water and food. Annually, there are 1.4 million cases of HAV infection worldwide, with the highest outbreak recorded in shanghai of about 300, 000 people (WHO). In addition, in developing countries where there is poor hygiene, most children are infected by HAV before the age of nine (Mushahwar 2). Increased cases of HAV infection worldwide has left many people seeking whether Hepatitis A can be eradicated. Certainly, the disease can be eradicated because in the first place, there is a vaccination against Hepatitis A. Furthermore, the most significant and easy way of preventing this disease is through washing of hands and generally maintaining proper hygiene (Davis 11). However, in order to eliminate of this disease permanently, it is important for individuals to receive HAV’s vaccine from birth to prevent this virus from finding the host. This is the most effective way to ensure that HAV infection has been eradicated permanently. Accordingly, WHO is focused in controlling and preventing viral hepatitis by creating awareness about this disease and mobilizing necessary resources to eradicate this infection (WHO), and in this way, they are trying to prevent the transmission of HAV as much as possible. The other control measures include providing safe and clean drinking water, monitoring disease infection, determining sources of infection, detecting outbreaks, and containing its spread (Mushahwar 13-14). Permanent eradication of hepatitis A requires a global attention and involvement; primarily, all other countries in the entire world should enforce vaccinations and make it a law that all citizens need to follow just like in America. Promoting global immunization campaign will assist in eliminating at least 80% of this infection because different organizations like United Nations and World Health Organizations are capable of raising enough funds to support each country to provide safe and effective vaccines to prevent hepatitis A virus infection. Following the outbreak of HAV infection, WHO arranges a World Hepatitis Day on 28 July yearly to increase consciousness and understand viral hepatitis (WHO). Therefore, everyone worldwide needs to participate, comply and be vaccinated in order to be safe, but this whole process will be a challenge to most developing countries. Furthermore, immunization to control this disease is more effective and effective in minor communities especially when immunization crusade is started timely. In conclusion, hepatitis A is one of the diseases that kill many globally and so people need to merge and work together to ensure that it has been eradicated completely. Works Cited Davis, Charles. Hepatitis A (HAV, Hep A). emedicinehealth 2011. Web. 29 Oct. 2013. Gallagher, Aileen. Hepatitis. New York: Rosen Pub. Group, 2005. Print. Mushahwar, Isa. Viral Hepatitis: Molecular Biology, Diagnosis, Epidemiology and Control. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2003. Print. World Health Organization-WHO. Hepatitis A. 2013. Web. 29 October 2013. Read More