Hepatitis generally refers to an inflammation of the liver caused by alcohol, drugs, chemicals and autoimmune conditions, over half of cases worldwide being caused by viruses. Of the hepatitis viruses, hepatitis A is the most common and most treatable; other forms of viral hepatitis include B, C, D, E and possibly F and G. The first description of “epidemic jaundice” is attributed to Hippocrates and there are reports of outbreaks throughout history.
The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a small non-enveloped single-stranded RNA virus, it is “thermostable and acid-resistant”, classified in 1991 as a member of the Hepatovirus genus of the family Picornaviridae. “HAV replicates in hepatocytes and interferes with liver function, sparking an immune response …show more content…
These early symptoms tend to decrease with the onset of jaundice, although some of them may persist or increase sporadically. The jaundice lasts for 2-3 weeks and is then followed by a convalescent period. “The peak infectivity occurs during the two weeks before the onset of jaundice or elevation of liver enzyme levels when the concentration of virus in the stool is highest. When jaundice appears, the viral concentration in the stool declines and most patients are noninfectious after one week. “ ( Wasley , Fiore , Bell, …show more content…
Appearance of anti-HAV antibodies has relatively little impact on the intrahepatic viral load. ”Viral RNA copy numbers decline slowly over a period of months in parallel with decreasing numbers of hepatocytes staining positive for HAV antigen. Viral RNA and HAV antigen indicative of assembled virus capsids persist long after ALT elevations have returned to normal and hepatic inflammation has resolved.” (Lanford, Feng, Chavez, Guerra, Brasky, Zhou, Lemon, 2011)
The factors that might contribute to the decrease in infection rates are increases in socio-economic factors and the added benefits of access to better health care, increased access to a clean water supply, better hygiene education and access to the hepatitis A vaccine. “For populations with a high proportion of susceptible adults, implementing vaccination programs may be considered.” (Franco, Meleo, Serino, Sorbara, Zaratti,
The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a small non-enveloped single-stranded RNA virus, it is “thermostable and acid-resistant”, classified in 1991 as a member of the Hepatovirus genus of the family Picornaviridae. “HAV replicates in hepatocytes and interferes with liver function, sparking an immune response …show more content…
These early symptoms tend to decrease with the onset of jaundice, although some of them may persist or increase sporadically. The jaundice lasts for 2-3 weeks and is then followed by a convalescent period. “The peak infectivity occurs during the two weeks before the onset of jaundice or elevation of liver enzyme levels when the concentration of virus in the stool is highest. When jaundice appears, the viral concentration in the stool declines and most patients are noninfectious after one week. “ ( Wasley , Fiore , Bell, …show more content…
Appearance of anti-HAV antibodies has relatively little impact on the intrahepatic viral load. ”Viral RNA copy numbers decline slowly over a period of months in parallel with decreasing numbers of hepatocytes staining positive for HAV antigen. Viral RNA and HAV antigen indicative of assembled virus capsids persist long after ALT elevations have returned to normal and hepatic inflammation has resolved.” (Lanford, Feng, Chavez, Guerra, Brasky, Zhou, Lemon, 2011)
The factors that might contribute to the decrease in infection rates are increases in socio-economic factors and the added benefits of access to better health care, increased access to a clean water supply, better hygiene education and access to the hepatitis A vaccine. “For populations with a high proportion of susceptible adults, implementing vaccination programs may be considered.” (Franco, Meleo, Serino, Sorbara, Zaratti,