Hepatitis is a disease that affects the liver. It can be caused by several types of viruses, with hepatitis A, B, C, D and E being the most common. Recently, cases of Hepatitis A are increasing very rapidly in Kerala.
Let us tell you that in view of 12 deaths and 1977 cases of infection in the last four months, State Health Minister Veena George has issued an alert for four districts - Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur and Ernakulam, from where the maximum number of cases have been reported.
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects your liver. It causes inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and symptoms of mild to severe illness. This infection can last for two months. However, hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease or permanent liver damage like other hepatitis viruses.
How common is hepatitis A infection?
Worldwide, hepatitis A is very common. Especially in places where sanitation is poor, food and water are contaminated. This infection also spreads very easily from one person to another, due to which its cases increase very rapidly.
Symptoms of Hepatitis
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the symptoms of hepatitis are not the same for everyone. Sometimes even no symptoms are visible in the initial stages. But some common symptoms include-
Tiredness
Weakness
Loss of appetite
Epigastric pain
Nausea and vomiting
Fever
Jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin)
Joint pain
iItchy skin
Hepatitis A treatment
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A infection other than rest and taking care of yourself. Healthcare providers advise you to: stay hydrated, stay in bed until your fever and jaundice go down, avoid substances that put pressure on your liver, get regular checkups done by a doctor.
Who are at higher risk of hepatitis A?
You have a higher risk of infection when your local community is more widely infected. Apart from this, the risk of Hepatitis A is higher in people with weak immune system, those who have contact with an infected person and HIV patients.
(PC: Freepik)
