Question

What is the Epidemiology of Hep A?

Answer 1

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HEPATITIS A

What is hepatitis A

it is the inflammation of the liver.when the inflammation is caused by infection with thhe hepatitis A virus.

EPIDEMIOLOGY of hepatitis A

Approximately 1.5 million clinical cases of hepatitis A occur worldwide annually but the rate of infection is probably as much as ten times higher.

About 3000 cases of hepatitis A are estimated to occur in the United States each year,a smaller number of cases are reported to public health each year because many infected people have no symptoms and do not go to see a doctor.

Most cases of hepatitis A can be explained by fecal ,oral transmission of the virus.However the occasional association of hepatitis A with intravenous drug use is interesting.This was first noted in Sweden and later confirmed in the US.

Needle born transmission of the virus is certainly a possibility if individuals share nonsterile needless during the prodromal phase of the illness.In addition HAV is a very stable virus, capable of withstanding substatinal heat and drying.In 1992 several outbreaks of hepatitis A were noted among hemophilic patients receiving factor VIII concentrate that had been prepared by a solvent detergent inactivation process.

Risk .Factors

In most developed countries sanitation and hygienic conditions are generally good and infection rate in children are generally low .peak rates of infection and reported disease tend to be among adolescents and young adults.In these areas large community wide outbreaks with extended person to person transmission can still contribute significantly to the burden of Hepatitis A disease.In addition occasional outbreaks in child care center institutions and food or water born epidemics can occur.

prevention of Hepatitis A infection

Adequate supply of safe drinking water and food.

Proper disposal of sewage within communities

Maintain personal hygiene

Practice regular hand washing to reduce the spread of infection