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Hepatitis A is an infectious disease of the liver caused by Hepatovirus A (HAV); [7] it is a type of viral hepatitis. [8] Many cases have few or no symptoms, especially in the young. [ 1 ] The time between infection and symptoms, in those who develop them, is two–six weeks. [ 2 ]
Viral hepatitis is primarily diagnosed through blood tests for levels of viral antigens (such as the hepatitis B surface or core antigen), anti-viral antibodies (such as the anti-hepatitis B surface antibody or anti-hepatitis A antibody), or viral DNA/RNA. [17] [32] In early infection (i.e. within 1 week), IgM antibodies are found in the blood ...
[2] [3] It is effective in around 95% of cases and lasts for at least twenty years and possibly a person's entire life. [4] If given, two doses are recommended beginning after the age of one. [2] It is given by injection into a muscle. [2] The first hepatitis A vaccine was approved in the European Union in 1991, and the United States in 1995. [5]
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccination. Effective treatments for hepatitis C are available but costly. [6] In 2013, about 1.5 million people died from viral hepatitis, most commonly due to hepatitis B and C. [6] East Asia, in particular Mongolia, is the region most affected. [6]
Approximately 290,000 deaths from the virus, mainly from liver cancer and cirrhosis attributed to hepatitis C, also occurred in 2019. [12] The existence of hepatitis C – originally identifiable only as a type of non-A non-B hepatitis – was suggested in the 1970s and proven in 1989. [13] Hepatitis C infects only humans and chimpanzees. [14]
An infection is the invasion of tissues by pathogens, their multiplication, and the reaction of host tissues to the infectious agent and the toxins they produce. [1] An infectious disease, also known as a transmissible disease or communicable disease, is an illness resulting from an infection.
Combined hepatitis A and B vaccine, is used to provide protection against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. [3] [7] It is given by injection into muscle.[8]It is used in areas where hepatitis A and B are endemic, for travelers, people with hepatitis C or chronic liver disease, and those at high risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
Hepatitis E is inflammation of the liver caused by infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV); [4] [5] it is a type of viral hepatitis. [6] Hepatitis E has mainly a fecal-oral transmission route that is similar to hepatitis A , although the viruses are unrelated.