Acute infectious disease, affecting the liver.

The causative agent of hepatitis A is resistant to adverse environmental factors: So, at room temperature, the virus persists for several weeks; at a temperature of +4ºС - for several months, at -20ºС - for several years. When dried, it lasts up to a week., in the secretions of patients - up to 30 days. The pathogen tolerates a temperature of 60ºС for 10-12 hours, dies when boiled 5 minutes. The source of infection is a sick person, which releases billions of viruses into the environment in urine and feces. Infection occurs when viral particles enter the gastrointestinal tract of a susceptible person., through dirty hands, food and water. To get sick, one viral particle is enough.

The main ways of transmission of hepatitis A:

food (through food, prepared by a person with viral hepatitis A, not observing the rules of personal hygiene; through food, cooked without heat treatment or undercooked; through food, which was touched with dirty hands after cooking. (through dirty hands and through household items, while doorknobs are the leading contributors to infection transmission, surfaces of faucets and handles of sanitary equipment, stair railings, etc.)

Water (drinking contaminated water, cooking, washing products).

The disease begins with weakness, ailments, loss of appetite, headaches, temperature increase. Then there are abdominal pains, more often on the right, nausea, vomit, отрыжка. Первоначально желтушное окрашивание приобретают глаза, later – кожа лица и тела. Due to complex disorders in the body, especially in the liver, urine turns dark, color, and the feces become the color of white clay. However, it often happens, что долгое время нет никаких признаков гепатита или наблюдается лишь небольшое недомогание. Therefore, it is possible to accurately diagnose "viral hepatitis A" only after a special blood test..

To avoid getting HAV, hygiene measures must be observed: wash hands with soap, drink boiled or bottled water, eat only washed fruits and vegetables.

The most effective preventive measure – vaccination.