​Infectious Diseases and Microbiology - Hepatitis A (Hepatitis A Virus)

​Infectious Diseases and Microbiology - Hepatitis A  (Hepatitis A Virus) 
Hepatitis A
The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the picornavirus that causes hepatitis A. It is through the fecal-oral pathway that HAV is spread. HAV epidemics are typically caused by water- or food-borne illnesses linked to unhygienic environments and inadequate personal hygiene.

The incubation period for hepatitis A can last anywhere from 15 to 50 days. After that, symptoms like fever, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, dark urine from bilirubinuria, and jaundice might appear. Although the length of the sickness varies, it normally resolves on its own in three to four weeks. A rare consequence of fulminant hepatitis is complete liver failure and death.
 HAV that is consumed first infects cells in the gastrointestinal tract and oropharynx, then via viremia it travels to the liver and infects hepatocytes without causing noticeable cytopathology. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes launch an immunological response that results in hepatic cell damage. The virus that infects the liver cells is released into the intestines and eliminated by the stools. HAV does not create a carrier state or persistent infection.
For both long-term protection and infection recovery, serum IgG is crucial.

IgM antibodies specific to HAV are used to detect HAV.
Diagnosis: Treatment for HAV infection is nonexistent. For those who are susceptible to contracting HAV, there is a vaccine called inactivated HAV. For postexposure prophylaxis, passive vaccination with HAV immune globulin is advised in cases where the exposed person has never been inoculated.
Hand washing is a successful preventative strategy.