HE
monics o
f
PA
NOELA MAE E. MALONG
GIOVANNA JOY P. CASTRO T I TOI S
R
REGINE A. TACUBAM
Every relic, document, and monument whispers secrets of lives lived, waiting for
you to discover their stories.
HEPATITIS HOLD THE WHISPERS OF THE PAST
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and
noninfectious agents leading to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal.
There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
HEPATITIS A
highly contagious, short-term liver infection/ inflammation caused by the HAV
unlike hep b and c, hep A does not cause chronic liver disease but it can cause a
debilitating symptoms and rarely fulminant hepatitis (acute liver failure), which is often
fatal.
STATISTICS
There were 9,952 new cases of hepatitis A reported during 2020.
There were 19,900 estimated infections during 2020.
There were 3 reported cases of hepatitis A per 100,000 population during 2020
Persons 30-39 years old are most affected by hepatitis.
The number of reported cases during 2020 is 7x higher than during 2015.
MODE OF TRANSMISSION
Transmitted primarily by the fecal-oral route.
Waterborne outbreaks.
, GeographIcal DIstrIbutIon:
Transmitted primarily by the fecal-oral route
Hepatitis A occurs sporadically and in epidemics worldwide, with a tendency for cyclic
recurrences.
Infection is common in low- and middle-income countries with poor sanitary conditions
and hygienic practices, and most children (90%) have been infected with the hepatitis A
virus before the age of 10 years, most often without symptoms
Infection rates are low in high-income countries with good sanitary and hygienic
SYMPTOMS:
The incubation period of hepatitis A is usually 14–28 days.
A range from mild to severe and can include fever, malaise, loss of appetite, diarrhea,
nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark-colored urine and jaundice
Note: Adults have signs and symptoms of illness more often than children
Note: Hepatitis A sometimes relapses, meaning the person who just recovered falls sick
again with another acute episode. This is normally followed by recovery
WHO IS AT RISK?
Areas where the virus has high endemicity.
Risk factors include:
poor sanitation
lack of safe water
living in a household with an infected person
being a sexual partner of someone with acute hepatitis A infection
use of recreational drugs
sex between men
travelling to areas of high endemicity without being immunized
MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A.
Recovery from symptoms following infection may be slow and can take several weeks or
months.
Note: It is important to avoid unnecessary medications that can adversely affect the
liver, e.g. acetaminophen, paracetamol.
Hospitalization is unnecessary in the absence of acute liver failure.
Therapy is aimed at maintaining comfort and adequate nutritional balance,
including replacement of fluids that are lost from vomiting and diarrhea
monics o
f
PA
NOELA MAE E. MALONG
GIOVANNA JOY P. CASTRO T I TOI S
R
REGINE A. TACUBAM
Every relic, document, and monument whispers secrets of lives lived, waiting for
you to discover their stories.
HEPATITIS HOLD THE WHISPERS OF THE PAST
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and
noninfectious agents leading to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal.
There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
HEPATITIS A
highly contagious, short-term liver infection/ inflammation caused by the HAV
unlike hep b and c, hep A does not cause chronic liver disease but it can cause a
debilitating symptoms and rarely fulminant hepatitis (acute liver failure), which is often
fatal.
STATISTICS
There were 9,952 new cases of hepatitis A reported during 2020.
There were 19,900 estimated infections during 2020.
There were 3 reported cases of hepatitis A per 100,000 population during 2020
Persons 30-39 years old are most affected by hepatitis.
The number of reported cases during 2020 is 7x higher than during 2015.
MODE OF TRANSMISSION
Transmitted primarily by the fecal-oral route.
Waterborne outbreaks.
, GeographIcal DIstrIbutIon:
Transmitted primarily by the fecal-oral route
Hepatitis A occurs sporadically and in epidemics worldwide, with a tendency for cyclic
recurrences.
Infection is common in low- and middle-income countries with poor sanitary conditions
and hygienic practices, and most children (90%) have been infected with the hepatitis A
virus before the age of 10 years, most often without symptoms
Infection rates are low in high-income countries with good sanitary and hygienic
SYMPTOMS:
The incubation period of hepatitis A is usually 14–28 days.
A range from mild to severe and can include fever, malaise, loss of appetite, diarrhea,
nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark-colored urine and jaundice
Note: Adults have signs and symptoms of illness more often than children
Note: Hepatitis A sometimes relapses, meaning the person who just recovered falls sick
again with another acute episode. This is normally followed by recovery
WHO IS AT RISK?
Areas where the virus has high endemicity.
Risk factors include:
poor sanitation
lack of safe water
living in a household with an infected person
being a sexual partner of someone with acute hepatitis A infection
use of recreational drugs
sex between men
travelling to areas of high endemicity without being immunized
MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A.
Recovery from symptoms following infection may be slow and can take several weeks or
months.
Note: It is important to avoid unnecessary medications that can adversely affect the
liver, e.g. acetaminophen, paracetamol.
Hospitalization is unnecessary in the absence of acute liver failure.
Therapy is aimed at maintaining comfort and adequate nutritional balance,
including replacement of fluids that are lost from vomiting and diarrhea
