Hepatitis A:
Public health experts opined that Hepatitis A deserves a place in India’s universal immunisation programme due to its multiple outbreaks across many states in India.
- Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV).
- It occurs throughout the world.
- It is especially common in countries in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Western Pacific.
- Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease but it can cause mild to severe symptoms and rarely fulminant hepatitis (acute liver failure).
- It is transmitted primarily by the faecal-oral route; that is when an uninfected person ingests food or water that has been contaminated with the faeces of an infected person.
- The virus can also be transmitted through close physical contact with an infectious person.
- It includes fever, malaise, loss of appetite, Nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, Dark urine and jaundice.
- There is no specific antiviral treatment for hepatitis A.
- Its treatment mainly focuses on supportive care to relieve symptoms and ensure adequate hydration and nutrition.
