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Hepatitis A ( also known
as Hep A ) is a disease affecting the liver,
and caused by the Hepatitis A virus
(abbreviated HAV).
Only 3 out of 4 people with
hepatitis A have symptoms.
Hepatitis A symptoms
may include:
- Jaundice (showing up first
as yellow eyes)
- Dark urine
- Nausea
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach ache
- Vomiting
Hepatitis A
can
be prevented by good hygiene and sanitation.
Vaccination is also available, and is recommended in
areas where the prevalence of hepatitis A is high.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) in 1991 reported a low mortality
rate of 4 deaths per 1000 cases for the general
population but a higher rate of 17.5 per 1000 in
those aged 50 and over. Hepatitis A outbreaks still
occur in developed countries and are usually traced
to unsanitary conditions at restaurants, including
but not limited to employees failing to wash their
hands after restroom breaks. The most widespread
Hepatitis A outbreak in American history afflicted
at least 640 people (killing four) in northeastern
Ohio and southwestern Pennsylvania in late 2003. In
November of that year, the outbreak was blamed on
tainted green onions (imported from Mexico) at a
restaurant in Monaca, Pennsylvania.
Ways to prevent
hepatitis A include the following:
- Wash hands
with soap and warm water before preparing
or eating food, and after sexual activity.
- Keep
bathrooms clean and disinfected after
every use.
- Cook
shellfish thoroughly before eating.
- Drink
water from approved sources only.
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