Question

Give the signs and symptoms (S/S) you might see in a patient with hepatitis A. In addition give the etiology, as well as how a patient might be diagnosed and treated with this disease.  

What will your plan of care be for Ms. Ross?

Answer 1

Hepatitis A is a viral disease affecting liver leading to severe illness.it is caused by Hepatitis A virus.

Signs and symptoms:it can range from mild to severe.

• Loss of appetite.
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal discomfort
• Dark coloured urine and jaundice.
• Nausea

Etiology :

• Lack of safe water
• Use of recreational drugs
• Being with sex partner with acute hepatitis A infection.
• Living in household with infected person.
• Poor sanitation.

Diagnosis :

Diagnosis is made by the detection of

1. HAV-specific Immunoglobulin G ( IgM ) antibodies in the serum blood.
2. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect the hepatitis A virus RNA.

Treatment: currently no specific treatment are available.mostly try avoiding unnecessary medications.various therapy can be done to control the infection.hospitalization is important when needed.

Precautions: spread of hepatitis A can be reduced by:

• Providing adequate supplies of safe drinking water in rural areas and towns.
• proper sewage treatment plans.
• personal hygiene by practicing regular hand-washing before meals and after going to the bathroom.