...HEPATITIS A 1] Hepatitis are important human pathogens that cause severe liver disease. Hepatitis A virus causes acute hepatitis in humans, and as a potential agent of bioterrorism it poses a threat to the safety of the blood supply. Hepatitis a cause’s acute fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea and abdominal discomfort. This is followed a few days later by dark urine and jaundice. Symptoms usually last several weeks. Sometimes there are no illness when hepatitis a is present. 2] Someone can transmit hepatitis A through food or drink that has been handled by an infected person. Waterborne outbreaks are infrequent and are usually associated with sewage-contaminated or miss-treated water. Oysters sometimes harbor the disease hepatitis A and it also transmitted through contaminated water, you can also get hepatitis A from non-cook foods like salads. 3] Symptoms most often show up two to six weeks after being exposed to the hepatitis A virus. They are usually mild, but may last for up to several months, especially in adults. Symptoms are dark urine, fatigue, itching, and loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever and yellow skin. There are no specific medicines to cure hepatitis A. If the symptoms become severe or dehydration develops, the person should seek medical care emergently, there is a vaccine for hepatitis A. 4] Hepatitis A vaccine can prevent infections with the virus. To prevent person-to-person spread, good personal hygiene and proper sanitation are important...
Words: 315 - Pages: 2
...Hepatitis A • Hepatitis A is caused by the “Hepatitis A Virus”; this is also part of the RNA virus. HEP A is found in the liver and is something that can last for a few days or several months at a time. It could take about 2-6 weeks after the infection has entered your body in order for you to start showing symptoms if this. This is something that is mainly found in places were clean water is scarce and that the environment is not so safe. Usually it is contracted in the early childhood stages for the most cases seen. Usually after that, it tends to be a little more severe than normal. There is many more strain of Hepatitis that can be more severe and even deadly to most of the population. This is something that once a person has become infected, they have to be careful to whom they have direct contact with. • This is usually transmitted through fecal-oral routes. We usually hear a lot of cases where this is seen in countries where crops are being picked and there are no real sanitation regulations and people are not washing their hands properly. It is also found in places that do not have enough clean water to go around. In these places, everyone is getting their drinking water from where they get their bathing water and use their restrooms. It is unfortunate but not every country can afford to have a good running water system. This is why is more susceptible for children to get it because they also cannot afford proper vaccination in these third world countries. A child’s...
Words: 722 - Pages: 3
...01/30/14 Hepatitis A In today’s society people go out to restaurants and eat every day, but many people don’t know the dangers of how Hepatitis A really is. The infectious pathogen that causes Hepatitis A can be from stool, water that people have bathed in, storm water, and toilet water can all contain the pathogens that cause Hepatitis A. If someone goes to a restaurant and the cook had used the restroom and forgot to wash his hands, the cook could spread the pathogens that cause Hepatitis A to the customers. The United States sanitation system isn’t as under developed as other countries whose sanitation system is under developed. Seeing outbreaks of Hepatitis A in the United States isn’t as common as it is in other countries. Each year there is about 30,000 t0 50,000 reported outbreaks of people becoming contaminated with the Hepatitis A virus. Nationally the amount of Hepatitis A infections has decreased since the last peak in 1995. Hepatitis was the lowest ever in 2007. Even though Hepatitis A has decreased throughout the years, rates are double among American Indians/ Alaskan Natives and Mexicans as to whites in the United States. In September 2013 there was an estimated one hundred sixty two people that were infected with the Hepatitis A virus. This outbreak reached ten different states in the U.S. This outbreak was caused from ‘Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend’ pomegranate seeds. It was reported that the case that was reported in Wisconsin...
Words: 582 - Pages: 3
...Hepatitis A Krista Qiuincel SCI/162 November 16, 2014 Stacy Lopez Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A can also be called HAV (Hepatitis A Virus). HAV is a part if the Picornaviridae family and Hepatovirus class. Hepatitis A was isolated by Purcell in 1973. Hepatitis A can only be carried by humans. Animals and insects cannot carry the HAV. HAV is an icosahedral (having twenty sides), non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA infection. It is twenty-seven to thirty-two nm in diameter. Only seven HAV genotypes have been distinguished. Four out of the seven are of human origin. The Hepatitis A virus is found in the feces of people who have contracted the virus. The virus is spread easily when there is poor sanitation or personal hygiene. Therefore it is commonly transmitted in water or food that has been contaminated with the stool containing HAV. Three examples are eating foods that were contaminated when they were handled, eating raw fish that were in water that was contaminated by HAV and drinking contaminated water or ice. Between March 30, 2013 and July 25, 2013 there were 162 confirmed cases of HAV in ten different states. Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Wisconsin. Cases in Wisconsin were from exposure to the Townsend Farms products in California. The cases that were reported in New Hampshire were from exposure during travel to Nevada and the case that was reported in New Jersey was from household contact with a confirmed...
Words: 613 - Pages: 3
...Hepatitis A 1. The infectious disease known as Hepatitis is caused by the infectious agent or pathogen identified as the Hepatitis A virus. There are currently seven known forms of Hepatitis, such as Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and so on. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C are the most common with the highest rate of people contracted with the infectious disease. Viral Hepatitis is an international main contributor to liver disease and accounts for high illness and death. In the United States Hepatitis A, HAV for short has reached a massive decline of occurrences since vaccinations became available. The decrease in incidences has nearly hit ninety percent. Though, there are still over twenty five thousand people infected in the United States each year with Hepatitis A. 2. The infectious agent Hepatitis A is transmitted through food and water which is contaminated with human feces. There are people who are at greater risk than others in contracting Hepatitis A, such as those who may handle contaminated food. Hepatitis A can also spread in daycare centers. Children and especially babies still in diapers may get feces on their hands, handle toys or other objects that they may put in their mouths. The daycare staff also puts themselves and the children at higher risk if they are not diligent in washing their own hands after changing a diaper or helping a child use the restroom. There are international regions where Hepatitis A is prevalent, with that said those...
Words: 718 - Pages: 3
...Hepatitis A SCI 162 PRINCIPLES OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS April 6 2014 JULIE MORESCHI What is hepatitis A? Hepatitis A is caused by a virus aptly named the hepatitis A virus. The hepatitis A virus infects the liver and causes inflammation in the liver. Hepatitis is a word used to describe inflammation of the liver and while there are more causes this work will focus on hepatitis A (HAV) the viral infection. HAV is food born pathogen. There are many causes of hepatitis, but hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are the most common. The virus is picornavirus meaning it has a single strand of RNA and a protein shell around its genome. How is the infection transmitted? The virus is spread through contaminated food, water, other drinks and even ice. It can also be spread by stool or blood. The virus is ingested with contaminated food or water. This can be from food that has come into contact with feces or stool. Hepatitis is more easily spread where there are poor hygiene and or poor sanitation standards. Even microscopic amounts of stool being ingested can infect a person. It can also be spread by sexual contact, more likely with oral/anal. Eating raw or undercooked shellfish from an infected water source can spread the virus as well. Outbreak An outbreak in the United States as recently as 2013 was reported in ten states, including: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, and New Hampshire*, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Wisconsin**. According...
Words: 744 - Pages: 3
...Background of the study Hepatitis is a very significant global concern, several different viruses have been identified (Hepatitis A B C D and E), which collectively, account for the majority of viral hepatitis in humans. They afflict more than half a billion people worldwide, and are responsible for over a million deaths a year. Hepatitis-A is a condition characterized by the inflammation of the liver. Symptoms of this viral infection are not always present and this includes jaundice, stomach pain and dark color of urine. Since this virus cannot be killed, treatment consists of relieving only the symptom’s, while the body fights the infection. Ones the person is infected with the virus, they will not be infected again. The cause of Hepatitis A is a single stranded RNA virus from the family picornaviridae and genus hepatuvirus. This virus only affects human. Hepatitis-A is most commonly spread by eating, drinking or using utensils that has been contaminated with the stool of a person infected. This type of transmission is called “fecal-oral” transmission. For this reason, the virus is more easily spread in areas where there is poor sanitary condition or where good personal hygiene is not observed. According to the staff nurses interviewed at the Bontoc General Hospital, there are few cases which have been confirmed to have this disease. They believe that the common acquisition of the disease of the patients of Bontoc General Hospital is through ingestion of contaminated...
Words: 4656 - Pages: 19
...Hepatitis A * What is the infectious agent (pathogen) that causes this infectious disease? For example, the name of the bacteria, virus, or parasite? The nick names for the infectious agent that causes infectious disease names are; hepatitis Immunization, Havrix, VAQTA. Hepatitis is an acute infectious disease that can harm the liver. Several diseases of the liver, collectively known as hepatitis, are caused by viruses. The viruses involved, five of which have been reasonably well characterized, come from a wide range of virus families. Hepatitis A virus is a picornavirus, a small single strand RNA virus * How is this infectious agent transmitted through food or water? Normally, it is spread when a person eats food or drinks water that has come in contact with infected stool. For example, when an employee who works at a restaurant with hepatitis A, doesn't wash his or her hands well after using the bathroom and then prepares food. The disease can also spread in day care centers. Children, especially those in diapers, may get stool on their hands and then touch objects that other children put into their mouths. And workers can spread the virus if they don't wash their hands well after changing a diaper. Some things can raise your risk of getting hepatitis A, such as eating raw oysters or undercooked clams. If you're traveling in a country where hepatitis A is common, you can lower your chances of getting the disease by avoiding uncooked foods and untreated tap water...
Words: 764 - Pages: 4
...Hepatitis A Kyndra Cockrell SCI/163 July 4, 2011 Mark Levit There are several food borne illnesses that we can develop such as salmonella, staphylococcus or Giardia, but the one I want to discuss is Hepatitis A. There are several forms of Hepatitis (Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C) but Hepatitis A is the most common type. Hepatitis A is a highly contagious infection that affects the liver and causes the liver to become inflamed and function improperly. Hepatitis A can be contracted several ways; the most common way is through food that has been contaminated by fecal matter or through contaminated water. Another way is through intravenous drug use or sexual activities with an infected person through oral-anal contact. People who work in daycare centers or senior living facilities are at a higher risk of contracting Hepatitis A because of the frequent diaper changes and assisting seniors with wiping themselves after bowel movements. Also people who travel to other countries such as Asia, South or Central America where water treatment is not sufficient (NIH, 2011). Symptoms of Hepatitis A usually do not show up for 2-7 weeks after being exposed. The symptoms are usually mild but they may last for several months after being exposed, especially in adults. The symptoms include, dark urine, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, yellowing of the skin, clay like stool, muscle aches, and pain on the right side of the belly (WebMD, 2010). You can only...
Words: 575 - Pages: 3
...Page 1 Hepatitis B HCA/220 August 7, 2015 Adaku Uzomba University of Phoenix Page 2 Hepatitis B is a potentially life threatening liver infection caused by the virus HBV. A Hepatitis B infection could potentially become a chronic disease for some people because they run the risk of developing liver failure, cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer if precautions are not taken. Cirrhosis causes permanent scarring to the liver. Some adults that have become infected with Hepatitis B do fully recover even if their symptoms are relentless. Symptoms can be mild to more severe and can be very unpleasant. These symptoms typically appear one to four months after a person has been infected and this is when symptoms will begin. Symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, joint pain, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, weakness and fatigue and jaundice. Because the Hepatitis B virus can survive for 7 days outside of the human body and thrive on surfaces, it most likely cause infection in a person that has not been vaccinated from the virus. Exposure...
Words: 965 - Pages: 4
...Page 2 Hepatitis B is a potentially life threatening liver infection caused by the virus HBV. A Hepatitis B infection could potentially become a chronic disease for some people because they run the risk of developing liver failure, cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer if precautions are not taken. Cirrhosis causes permanent scarring to the liver. Some adults that have become infected with Hepatitis B do fully recover even if their symptoms are relentless. Symptoms can be mild to more severe and can be very unpleasant. These symptoms typically appear one to four months after a person has been infected and this is when symptoms will begin. Symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, joint pain, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, weakness and fatigue and jaundice. Because the Hepatitis B virus can survive for 7 days outside of the human body and thrive on surfaces, it most likely cause infection in a person that has not been vaccinated from the virus. Exposure to infected blood, saliva, vaginal and seminal fluids are ways for the Hepatitis B virus to be transmitted. What is scary is that this virus can also be transmitted during medical and surgical procedures, and dental procedures. Tattoo and piercing equipment that is not sterile is also another way the virus is transmitted. People that use illicit drugs and do them intravenously, share their needle, not only puts their risk of getting Hepatitis B extremely high, but can infect others...
Words: 951 - Pages: 4
...writing my paper on Hepatitis A. It is a Hepatitis A virus (HAV) it is an acute infectious disease caused by Hepatitis A virus an RNA virus (picornavirus). Hepatitis A is an infection that causes inflammation of the liver. The liver removes harmful chemicals from the blood, fights infection; helps digest food, stores nutrients and vitamins, stores energy. You cannot live without a liver. Anyone can get hepatitis A if you travel to different countries, live with someone who has active Hepatitis A, use illegal drugs, have unprotected sex with an infected person. Men having sex with other men are more likely to get Hepatitis A. You can contract Hepatitis A through food or water. If you come in contact with an infected person’s stool, eat food made by an infected person who didn’t wash his/her hands after using the bathroom, drinking untreated water, or eating food wash in untreated water, placing your finger or object in your mouth that came in contact with an infected person’s stool, having close personal contact with an infected person such as through unprotected sex. There was a real life out break in 2003. The largest out break of Hepatitis A in United States history. Richard Miller was a 57 year old male who worked as a railroad superintendent. He went to Chi-Chi’s in Beaver, PA after church one Sunday where he dipped into the house salsa that came with his meal. What he didn’t know was the imported Mexican green onions in the salsa carried the deadly hepatitis A virus. The next...
Words: 589 - Pages: 3
...Running head: EPIDEMIOLOGY PAPER - HEPATITIS B 1 Epidemiology Paper - Hepatitis B Concepts in Community and Public Health NRS-427V-0102 EPIDEMIOLOGY PAPER - HEPATITIS B Epidemiology Paper - Hepatitis B 2 ―Communicable disease‖ means an illness caused by an infectious agent or its toxins that occurs through the direct or indirect transmission of the infectious agent or its products from an infected individual or via an animal, vector or the inanimate environment to a susceptible animal or human host‖ ("CDC," 2010, p. 1). Hepatitis B is one of the communicable diseases which are a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). CAUSES ―Exposure may occur: After a needle stick or sharps injury - Hepatitis B is a concern for health care workers and anyone else who comes in contact with human blood If any blood or other body fluid touches your skin, eyes or mouth People who may be at risk of hepatitis B are those who: Unprotected sex with an infected partner – one may become infected having unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner whose blood, saliva, semen or vaginal secretions enter your body. Receive blood transfusions (not common in the United States) Have contact with blood at work (such as health care workers) Have been on long-term kidney dialysis Get a tattoo or acupuncture with unclean needles Share needles during drug use - HBV is easily transmitted through needles and syringes contaminated...
Words: 3278 - Pages: 14
...“Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver; it can be acute or chronic. Having chronic hepatitis B can increase your risk of developing liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis — a condition that causes permanent scarring of the liver”. (© 1998-2014 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved.) “In the United States, approximately 1.2 million people have chronic Hepatitis B. Unfortunately; many people do not know they are infected. The number of new cases of Hepatitis B has decreased more than 80% over the last 20 years. An estimated 40,000 people now become infected each year”.(http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/pdfs/hepbgeneralfactsheet.pdf) Many experts believe this decline is a result of widespread vaccination of children when the liver cannot remove harmful toxins from the blood, fight infection, also help digest food, store important nutrients and vitamins a person is not capable of living without a liver. Hepatitis B infection may be either short-lived (acute) or long lasting (chronic). Acute hepatitis B infection lasts less than six months. Your immune system likely can clear acute hepatitis B from your body, and you should recover completely within a few months. Most people who acquire hepatitis B as adults have an acute infection, but it can lead to chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis B infection lasts six months or longer. When your immune system can't fight off the acute infection, hepatitis B infection may last a lifetime, possibly...
Words: 816 - Pages: 4
...such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, HIV, and influenza are all communicable diseases, meaning they can be spread from one person or thing to the next. This writing will present hepatitis B and how it affects individuals and the community. The roll of the community health nurse will be discussed in regards to hepatitis B. Description of Hepatitis Hepatitis is simply an inflammation of the liver that is typically caused by a virus. It can be infectious or non-infectious. Viral hepatitis is contagious and is caused from a viral infection leading to liver inflammation. There are two types of hepatitis B. Acute hepatitis B is short lived, and chronic hepatitis B which produces long-term illness. Individuals who are exposed to hepatitis B in infancy or childhood likely will develop chronic hepatitis. Those who are exposed as adults will develop antibodies and typically have an acute hepatitis infection. Hepatitis B is contracted when a person comes in contact with infected blood semen or other body fluids enters their bodies. If a person has an exposure to hepatitis B, hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) can be given to suppress the development of the disease. In an acute infection, symptoms that can be experienced include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, dark urine, joint pain, jaundice, anorexia and clay-colored stools. The symptoms usually show up with in the first six months after the exposure and can last up to six months long. Chronic hepatitis B does...
Words: 1200 - Pages: 5
