Marilyn Monroe SCI/162 6-27-2014 Instructor: Tracy Cobb

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. The hepatitis A virus is a member of the genus Hepato virus and belongs to the Picornavirus clade. Hepatovirus is made up of viral protein and highly conserved, single-strand, positive-sense RNA. Hepatitis A was first identified in 1973. Not everyone has symptoms with hepatitis A infection, so many people are infected than diagnosed or reported (PubMed Health) . There are many risk factors and ways to prevent them.
Hepatitis A can be transmitted through food and water. The virus is carried in stool. Food or water that is contaminated with stool can cause a person to become infected with hepatitis A. Sexual activity with a person who is infected with hepatitis A can put an individual at risk if the sexual activity involves oral or anal sex. A person with hepatitis A can also pass on the virus if they do not use proper hand-washing after using the restroom than coming in contact with others. Other risk factors include IV drugs, oversea travel, working in health care, food or sewage industry and living in a nursing home. Hepatitis A is a food borne illness that affects thousands across the United States each year. In 2013 health officials reported an outbreak of acute hepatitis A. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention say, victims began to fall ill after coming in contact with a frozen berry mix by Townsend Farms sold at Costco. At least 30 people in five states became sick. Costco immediately notified all members who purchased the product, of the contamination and recalled the item.
Many people with hepatitis A may not even know they are infected because the symptoms of the disease can be very mild and cause symptoms to go unnoticed. Symptoms of hepatitis A usually develop between 2 and 6 week after infected (emedicinehealth). Symptoms can vary; the most common symptoms are nausea, diarrhea, fever, rash, loss of appetite, vomiting, and fatigue. Urine can appear dark in color and pain can occur in the area of the liver, on the right side of the abdomen. Those infected with this disease can also experience tiredness, weakness, headaches and rapid heartbeat. Symptoms can last anywhere from 2 to 9 months There is no cure for hepatitis A.
It is very important to practice good personal hygiene at all times, but to help prevent the transmitting or interception of any infectious disease such as Hepatitis A you should wash your hands after and before using the restroom and coming in contact with food . Vaccinations are also available to prevent hepatitis A. There are two available vaccinations at this time for hepatitis A: Havrix and Vaqta. Both vaccinations require two injections, usually administered six months apart.