What is Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). It can cause debilitating liver disease. Clinical symptoms commonly last for about 4 weeks, but in 20% a relapse may occur and symptoms may persist for up to 6 months.
Hepatitis A is prevalent in places with poor standard of hygiene and sanitation. As the standard of living is improving in this country and less cases are reported, there is an increased pool of non-immune population who are at risk of contracting the disease if they are exposed to the virus.
The Symptoms of Hepatitis A
At the beginning, symptoms are like those of the flu – fever, stomach cramps, sickness, diarrhea, tiredness, joint pain, headache and usually begin with loss of appetite, malaise, nausea, vomiting and increasing tiredness. A week later, they are followed by jaundice (yellowness) of the skin and the whites of the eyes. These symptoms can last up to six months in some individuals.
The Transmission of Hepatitis A
It is most frequently transmitted through ingestion of food (salads, fruits, other uncooked foods) or drink contaminated with small amounts of infected fecal matter. It can also be transmitted by shellfish taken from sewage-contaminated seawater, raw or partially cooked clams, oysters, cockles, and mussels or by close person-to-person contact with infected persons.
The People At Risk of Hepatitis A
- Consumers of raw and semi-cooked shellfish e.g. oysters, cockles, clams
- Food handlers
- Close contacts of infected persons, including those within families
- Those providing day care to groups of young children, the mentally and physically handicapped persons
- Sewerage workers
- Inmates in homes for the mentally retarded
- Drug abusers
- Individual with underlying chronic liver disease such as Hepatitis B or C, other non viral disease such as drug or alcoholism
- People with clotting factor disorders, hemophiliacs etc.
- People working with Hepatitis A virus in an experiment lab setting
- Travelers to places with crowded, unhygienic living conditions
What is Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a serious disease worldwide caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can lead to to complications including chronic hepatitis (persistent liver inflammation), liver cirrhosis (hardening of the liver), liver failure, and liver cancer.
It is spread by individuals with active disease and, more significantly, by an estimated 300-350 million carriers worldwide. About 2000 million people get infected with the virus and 2 million people die each year from consequential liver disease.
The Symptoms of Hepatitis B
The first symptoms are like those of flu – fever, chills, tiredness, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, aching muscles and joints. Later on, jaundice (yellowness) of the skin and whites of the eyes developed; there will also be dark urine and paleness of feces.
Hepatitis A & B infections manifest almost similar symptoms in infected patients.
The Transmission of Hepatitis B
The virus is passed through infected blood or other body fluids such as saliva, semen, or vaginal secretions. The disease can therefore be contracted through the use of infected personal hygiene items (e.g. razor blades, toothbrushes etc) or needles, or through sexual intimacy with infected person.
The People At Risk of Hepatitis B
- People who play contact sports and are likely to suffer cuts and abrasions
- Health-care workers, laboratory technicians and other workers who come frequently into contact with blood of blood derivatives
- People who share food with infected persons
- Sexually promiscuous youths, homosexuals, prostitutes
- Persons receiving acupuncture treatment or who are having themselves tattooed
- Frequent travelers to more highly endemic ares in the region
- Babies born to carrier mothers
- Close contacts of acute hepatitis B patients and chronic carriers
- Intravenous drug abusers
Prevention Against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B
Hepatitis A & B are vaccine preventable diseases.
A combined hepatitis A & B vaccine is now available in a single administration. It is highly efficacious and well tolerated and can be used in person aged 16 years and above who has not been immune to both hepatitis A & B.
It can be administered through a 3 dose-schedule over a period of 6 months. This include the first dose at elected date, the second dose at 1 month later and the third dose at 6th month from the first dose.
This means that you can now get double protection through a single injection!
Hepatitis A & B vaccines are also available in separate injections. If you are vaccinated against hepatitis B alone, you are not protected against hepatitis B and vice versa.