Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection that is very common in the pediatric population of Pakistan but it can be treated easily. Most of the time this disease is caused by the consumption of some contaminated food. A person suffering from hepatitis A can get well soon if the patient knows the symptoms, causes, and treatments.
It may be caused due to:
- Drinking contaminated water
- Consumption of alcohol causes inflammation in the liver which causes hepatitis and excessive intake of alcohol can lead to even the failure of the liver
- Usage of recreational drugs
- Living with an infected person
- Lack of clean water
- Swallowing contaminated ice
- Consuming sewage-contaminated raw shellfish
- Living in an area where hepatitis A is common
- Drug usage
Hepatitis A cannot be identified at the start rather it takes 2-4 weeks. The stages of hepatitis A are different in everyone. Not everyone gets the same symptoms. Some are diagnosed with severe hepatitis and some get few symptoms like children having no symptoms. In 10 percent of children hepatitis, A may lead to jaundice and the number is a lot higher in adults.
The symptoms of hepatitis A may include fever, joints pain, dark colored urine, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, yellow pale complexion color, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellow color in eyes, fatigue, pale stool, body ache, upset stomach, itching, and extreme tiredness.
Symptoms can not be identified on below 6 years old children, 10 percent of children may get affected by jaundice, 40-50 percent of children get jaundice of the age 6 to 14 years and 70-80 percent are chances of attacking hepatitis A of age over 14.
Treatment:
There is no special treatment for Hepatitis A and it may take weeks or months in recovery. No medication works and the only way to stay away from the disease is by eating clean and healthy food and drinking clean water. Cold liquid and light food are recommended in this disease. Avoidance of alcohol is the mandatory part. Moreover, the more you will take rest the quick you will recover.
In some rare cases, the disease may get complicated and a person is to be admitted to the hospital. This complication comes from the incautiousness and carelessness. 85 percent of people recover within the first few weeks or months and if it takes longer then predominantly may take up to 3-6 months.
Hepatitis A is not a disease to be very much afraid of but getting conscious about diet is important and in case of symptoms, the doctor must be consulted on time.
What are the 5 types of hepatitis?
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. These 5 types are of greatest concern, because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread.
