What is the issue with hepatitis A?
Although typically a mild virus, hepatitis A can also kill.
- How can a virus that usually causes a mild inflammation of the liver, actually kill someone?
- The answer is not as straightforward as we think, but the solutions certainly are.
- To answer the why hepatitis A kills, we have to look at
- who is most vulnerable and
- how exposure as well as transmission happens, which leads us to
- prevention.
- To answer the why hepatitis A kills, we have to look at
What does research tell us about vulnerability and severity?
- In countries such as the United States,
- where we typically see low incidence of hepatitis A and low vaccination coverage against it,
- we eventually shift to low levels of virus in the community as well as
- an increase in vulnerable individuals.
- we eventually shift to low levels of virus in the community as well as
- It is only a matter of time before this leads to flare ups in older individuals.
- where we typically see low incidence of hepatitis A and low vaccination coverage against it,
- At increased risk of severe disease due to hepatitis A are
- individuals 55 and older, and
- those who are already infected with any of the other hepatitis viruses
- such as hepatitis B, C, or E,
- as well as with HIV.
- such as hepatitis B, C, or E,
- At the severe end of infection, the liver fails, necessitating a life-saving liver transplantation.
In 2017, Florida accounted for the highest number of new HIV diagnoses in the country.
- 4 of the 10 metropolitan areas with highest rates of new HIV infection per 100,000 are all in Florida:
- Miami (at # 1),
- Fort Lauderdale (# 2),
- Orlando (# 6), and
- Jacksonville (#9).
- One in seven HIV infected individuals are not even aware of their HIV infected status.
- On the basis of HIV prevalence data,
- men who have sex with men and
- active injection drug users
- are at very high risk for new HIV infection
- – also risk factors for hepatitis A.
- are at very high risk for new HIV infection
While vulnerability to hepatitis A may follow a wave pattern in the community, we cannot afford to just wait to ride the wave.
- Instead, we have to do what we must,
- to avoid being at the severe end of this viral infection.
How do we protect those at higher risk of severe hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A viruses are found in feces of infected individuals.
How does the virus make its way from feces to surfaces such as elevator push buttons or self-serve spoons, or hands we shake?
Simply put, DIRTY HANDS –
- those that are unwashed
- or not adequately washed
- after a bowel movement
- or after changing diapers.
- after a bowel movement
- or not adequately washed
At increased risk of hepatitis A is
- anyone who is at increased risk of exposure to fecal matter,
- whether it is within the United States
- or when traveling to countries where
- hepatitis A is seen as an endemic
- that means it is always there and can flare up every once in a while.
- hepatitis A is seen as an endemic
- or when traveling to countries where
- whether it is within the United States
Eating raw or undercooked shellfish from waters contaminated with the feces of those infected with hepatitis A virus, can be a risk factor for infection.
- As we get older, we may indulge in gastronomic pleasures more often than in our younger days, because we have more time and/or more money.
- Raw or undercooked shellfish may put us at risk of hepatitis A and a list of other pathogens.
- Increased potential for exposure is not good, considering the inreased risk of severe infection in people over 55 years oaf age.
- It is always good to ensure that the source is reputable or that the shellfish have been cooked adequately.
