Hepatitis A overview
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Hepatitis A |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Hepatitis A overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hepatitis A overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Hepatitis A (formerly known as infectious hepatitis) is an acute infectious disease of the liver caused by the hepatovirus hepatitis A virus.[1] Most commonly transmitted by the fecal-oral route, such as contaminated food, hepatitis A does not typically have a chronic stage and does not cause permanent liver damage. The patient's immune system makes antibodies against the hepatitis A virus that confer immunity against future infection. A vaccine is available that will prevent infection from hepatitis A for at least ten years.
In the United States, viral hepatitis is an important public health problem because it causes serious illness, it affects millions, and it has a close connection with HIV.
References
- ↑ Ryan KJ, Ray CG (editors) (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology (4th ed. ed.). McGraw Hill. pp. 541&ndash, 4. ISBN 0838585299.