Avoid various ways and risks of transmission of hepatitis a & bull; hello healthy

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease, which is caused by the hepatitis A virus. The mode of transmission of hepatitis A from one person to another is very easy because the nature of the virus is quite adaptive to environmental conditions.

This disease can be mild and will heal within a few weeks, but it can also be severe and will not heal after a few months. However, compared to other types of hepatitis, hepatitis A is the "lightest" type of hepatitis.

Mode of transmission of hepatitis A

In good conditions, the hepatitis A virus (HAV) can survive in the environment for months, especially in conditions of low pH levels and low temperature. Here are ways you can get infected with hepatitis A.

1. Hepatitis A transmission through direct contact

The first mode of transmission of hepatitis is through direct interaction with a person who has been infected with hepatitis A. In most cases, the hepatitis A virus can be transmitted directly when someone has sexual intercourse with an infected person. Including anal or oral.

Outside of sexual intercourse, direct interaction with people with hepatitis A does not transmit the hepatitis A virus.

However, in a number of research results summarized in the Clinical Microbiology Review, there are 25% of cases of hepatitis A transmission that are suspected because they live in the same roof with an infected person. In this condition, children are the group most susceptible to infection with HAV.

However, transmission of HAV through casual interaction with sufferers is usually supported by other factors, namely hygiene.

The spread of the virus can occur when an infected person does not wash their hands properly after going to the bathroom and then touches other objects, food and drink.

Likewise with people who care for children who have hepatitis A, but do not wash their hands when changing diapers or cleaning their feces.

2. Hepatitis A transmission from food or drink

Hepatitis A usually spreads when the hepatitis A virus enters the mouth (fecal oral) through food or drink that has been contaminated with feces containing VHA. The foods and drinks that are most often targeted by the hepatitis A virus are fruit, vegetables, shellfish, ice and water.

Hepatitis A transmission can be through consumption of drinks and food (including frozen food or food that has not been fully cooked) is the main cause of the spread of the hepatitis A virus in developing countries.

Subsequently, hepatitis A transmission developed into an epidemic that affected many people. This is due to the poor quality of environmental hygiene.

Such as an unsanitary sanitation system, unhygienic food processing, and a lack of application of clean and healthy behavior in daily habits.

Can I donate blood?

If a person with a history of Hepatitis A has no symptoms, usually that person can still donate blood. This was also conveyed by the drug regulatory agency in the United States FDA that hepatitis A transmission does not occur through blood transfusions.

However, blood donation service organizations such as JPAC set rules for people infected with HAV to wait 6 months after the recovery period to donate blood.

This rule was enforced because there was still a risk of hepatitis A transmission through blood transfusions even though the percentage was minimal.

3. Transmission of hepatitis A through water sources

Although it rarely happens, flowing water sources can also be a medium for hepatitis A transmission, such as rivers that are polluted by household waste containing the hepatitis A virus. River water pollution occurs due to poor management of the sanitation system.

What is dangerous is when the river water is not treated properly and is then used as a source of clean water for daily needs. Hepatitis A transmission will be more widespread when contaminated river water enters the ground and also contaminates groundwater which is also a source of clean water for the community.

People who are most at risk of developing hepatitis A

Although everyone can get hepatitis A, transmission of hepatitis A can be more at risk in a group of people. Here are the conditions

• People living in or visiting countries where hepatitis A is common
• Men who have sex with men
• People who use illegal drugs, including those who use needles or not
• Have a blood clotting disease, for example hemophilia
• Live with someone who has hepatitis A.
• Living in an area where the water is not clean
• Having oral-anal sex with a person who has hepatitis A.

What to do if you have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus

Hepatitis A transmission often goes unnoticed. Moreover, this disease generally does not show symptoms or certain health problems even though it has been infected. But when you find out that you have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus and have never had the hepatitis A vaccine before, you don't need to panic.

Although there is no specific treatment for hepatitis A, hepatitis A virus infection can actually go away on its own within a few weeks. But try to keep simple treatments, especially when symptoms appear, by getting plenty of rest and increasing consumption of nutritious foods. After recovering, the body will form antibodies that protect you from hepatitis A virus infection in the future.

Vaccine administration

You can also get immunoglobulin treatment given by a doctor, within the first 2 weeks after you are exposed to the hepatitis A virus. However, consult your doctor first. Your doctor will determine the right hepatitis A treatment for you, depending on your age and your overall health condition.

In addition, while still being infected, try to maintain personal hygiene as well as the living environment so as not to cause further hepatitis A transmission.

x