Hepatitis A virus can cause fatal liver failure in some rare cases: Research

Hepatitis A virus can cause fatal liver failure in some rare cases: Research
Hepatitis A virus (HAV)-infected cell results in liver inflammation,in rare cases, it can cause acute liver failure, which is often fatal.

Hepatitis A virus is a vaccine preventable form of infectious hepatitis. HAV is found worldwide and is transmitted through ingestion of food and water that is contaminated with the feces of an infected person.  Symptoms of hepatitis A include nausea, stomach pain, fever, sore throat, headache and diarrhea. People infected with HAV may not experience any symptoms, but shed the virus for two to four weeks. During this period, an infected person can pass the virus to others. The disease can be prevented by good hygiene like washing hands after using the restroom and before eating meals, improved sanitation and sewage disposal, food safety, properly cooking food and immunization. Chlorination of water can prevent waterborne epidemics. An infection with hepatitis A provides lifelong immunity to the disease. If not already infected, hepatitis A vaccine can give protection against the virus. It is an optional vaccination in India. Two shots are given at least six months apart. The first dose is given when a child is above 12 months of age. Also Read: 13 causes of hepatitis you didn’t know about

Source: IANS

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