Viral hepatitis A (Botkin's disease, dirty hands disease, jaundice) is a liver disease of viral origin, which can have both mild and severe course and is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Viral hepatitis A is considered a seasonal disease, as a rule, an increase in cases of the disease is observed in the autumn-winter period.
According to the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the hepatitis A virus is transmitted:
– due to consumption of contaminated food or water that may contain feces of infected people;
– due to lack of personal hygiene;
– in families, when an infected person prepares food for all family members;
– Certain types of sexual intercourse can also cause infection.
The hepatitis A virus can survive in water for 3 to 10 months, in feces for up to 30 days, and in a dry environment at room temperature for a week. The hepatitis A virus is killed after 5 minutes of boiling.
Risk factors for hepatitis A include: poor sanitation; lack of clean water; drug use; living with an infected person; sexual contact with a person with acute hepatitis A; and travel to an area with a high epidemic rate.
That avoid infection with the hepatitis A virus you must follow the simplest rules:
- use bottled or boiled water for drinking (boil for at least 10 minutes);
- wash your hands with soap not only after using the toilet, before preparing and eating food, but also after returning home from work, taking a walk, especially after being in public transport and public places;
- wash fruits, vegetables, herbs, and berries well before consumption;
- Do not buy food from unauthorized retail outlets.
The most effective step in eliminating the incidence of viral hepatitis A is vaccination. If desired, you can purchase the vaccine in a pharmacy and contact a medical and preventive institution for vaccination.
Do not self-medicate. At the first signs of illness, you should immediately consult a doctor!
Take care of your health and the health of the people around you!