The Targeted Group
Hepatitis A description
Hepatitis A is a disease of a liver caused by a virus known as Hepatitis A. some reported cases shows that the illness is caused by consumption of either food or water contaminated with fecal that has the virus (Gossner & Severi, 2014). Therefore, the most common causes includes:
Consumption of raw or else undercooked shellfish sourced from sewage polluted water
Not washing hands clean after diaper exchange
Poor individual hygiene by persons who prepares the meals.
Diagnosing of Hepatitis A
The most fundamental diagnosis is through the blood test. Thus, if a person thinks that he or she has Hepatitis A, it is advisable to seek the diagnosis from the professional doctors. The reason being, hepatitis A are similar to other liver diseases and the disease can be potentially severe (Gossner & Severi, 2014).
Statistical support
Through estimation, about 10 million individuals globally get hepatitis annually. For instance, in the US, hepatitis A is one of the frequently reported vaccine-preventable illness and is the sixth according to foodborne diseases. According to CDC data, an estimated 180,000 symptomatic as well as asymptomatic hepatitis A infections results annually. It is also approximated that one-third of children with less than fifteen years of age being infected and about 100 years are reported every year (Klevens et al., 2010).
Symptoms of hepatitis A
Typical symptoms do occur within two to seven weeks immediately after virus infection. The common symptoms include loss of energy, nausea, headache, and loss of appetite, pain near the liver, fever and jaundice. Therefore, an individual with these symptoms must seek a doctor for the checkup (Klevens et al., 2010).
Environment where hepatitis A infection is likely to occur
The infection is possible in regions where hygiene might be the challenge. Some epidemics has been reported within the daycare centers whereby the virus can be transmitted through fecal-oral when changing the diapers. Additionally, institutions such as prisons and disabled individuals have reported hepatitis infections too. Lifestyle practice in households as well as restaurants has contributed towards the infection of hepatitis illness (Sun et al., 2012).
Preventions of hepatitis A illness
Several types of research have shown that vaccination is the best method of preventing the disease since it results in a long-term immunity in the individual’s body. The vaccination is done in two doses, typically six months apart. Recommended groups for vaccinations are every child who is one year old and above, individuals traveling to areas with poor sanitation such as Africa, South America, Middle East, Mexico and Eastern Europe. Patients who have blood-clotting disorder or long term liver disease, individuals using illegal drugs (Sun et al., 2012). Additionally, hepatitis A can be prohibited through good personal hygiene practicing. For example, washing of hands with soap and warm water after visiting toilet or changing the diapers and before preparing eating food.
References
Gossner, C. M., & Severi, E. (2014). Three simultaneous, food-borne, multi-country outbreaks of hepatitis A virus infection reported in EPIS-FWD in 2013: what does it mean for the European Union. Euro Surveill, 19, 43.
Klevens, R. M., Miller, J. T., Iqbal, K., Thomas, A., Rizzo, E. M., Hanson, H., & Xia, G. L. (2010). The evolving epidemiology of hepatitis a in the United States: incidence and molecular epidemiology from population-based surveillance, 2005-2007. Archives of internal medicine, 170(20), 1811-1818.
Sun, Y., Laird, D. T., & Shieh, Y. C. (2012). Temperature-dependent survival of hepatitis A virus during storage of contaminated onions. Applied and environmental microbiology, 78(14), 4976-4983.
