Hepatitis (Type B)
Infective Hepatitis is a vital infectious
disease caused by a virus known as Hepatitis B (HBV) and involved the
inflammation of the liver which leads to development of jaundice. The
prevalence of Hepatitis B is highest in endemic (of a disease) (regularly found
in a particular people or area), areas of Africa and Asia.
disease caused by a virus known as Hepatitis B (HBV) and involved the
inflammation of the liver which leads to development of jaundice. The
prevalence of Hepatitis B is highest in endemic (of a disease) (regularly found
in a particular people or area), areas of Africa and Asia.
Causative Agent: Hepatitis B virus
Incubation period: 15 – 50 days approximately 28
– 30.
– 30.
Modes of Transmission
Directly related to persons to persons contact
presumably to the majority of cases by faecal-oral mouth. In many stances the
infectious agent may be seen in faeces, blood and urine of the patients and
carriers. Common vehicles of outbreaks have been traced to contaminated water
and food including milk, meat, salad, raw or undercooked clams and oysters. The
infection can also be transmitted by ingestion or through parenteral
inoculation of infected blood or blood products.
presumably to the majority of cases by faecal-oral mouth. In many stances the
infectious agent may be seen in faeces, blood and urine of the patients and
carriers. Common vehicles of outbreaks have been traced to contaminated water
and food including milk, meat, salad, raw or undercooked clams and oysters. The
infection can also be transmitted by ingestion or through parenteral
inoculation of infected blood or blood products.
Signs/Symptoms
Usually, the disease occurs with an abrupt onset
with fever, headache, malaise, abdominal discomfort, anorexia and nausea,
followed with 5 to 7 days of jaundice. The liver, spleen and posterior cervical
lymph nodes often become enlarged. The jaundice is first seen in the eye, then
the whole body. This lasts for two to five weeks. Prior to death, the victim
may develop cerebral manifestations
with fever, headache, malaise, abdominal discomfort, anorexia and nausea,
followed with 5 to 7 days of jaundice. The liver, spleen and posterior cervical
lymph nodes often become enlarged. The jaundice is first seen in the eye, then
the whole body. This lasts for two to five weeks. Prior to death, the victim
may develop cerebral manifestations
Preventive/Control Measures
1.)
Health education on personal cleanliness.
Health education on personal cleanliness.
2.)
Prevention of faecal contamination of food and
drinks
Prevention of faecal contamination of food and
drinks
3.)
Elimination of flies and detection of
individuals who may be carriers.
Elimination of flies and detection of
individuals who may be carriers.
4.)
Adequate sterilization of all syringes.
Adequate sterilization of all syringes.
5.)
Report all cases of infectious hepatitis to
local health authority.
Report all cases of infectious hepatitis to
local health authority.
Hepatitis (Type A)
This is known as serum
hepatitis and differs to hepatitis B.
hepatitis and differs to hepatitis B.
Causative Agent: Hepatitis A Virus (HIV)
Incubation Period: 45 – 160 days
Mode of Transmission
The spread of serum
hepatitis is through parenteral intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous
inoculation of human blood, plasma, serum thrombin, fibrinogen and other blood
products from an infected person. Other routes of transmission include
contaminated needles, syringes and other intravenous equipment. Spread through
contamination of wound or laceration has been reported.
hepatitis is through parenteral intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous
inoculation of human blood, plasma, serum thrombin, fibrinogen and other blood
products from an infected person. Other routes of transmission include
contaminated needles, syringes and other intravenous equipment. Spread through
contamination of wound or laceration has been reported.
Signs/Symptoms
The disease with usually
insidious onset is characterized by anorexia, various abdominal discomfort,
nausea and vomiting, usually progressing to jaundice. Mild fever may be present
or entirely absent
insidious onset is characterized by anorexia, various abdominal discomfort,
nausea and vomiting, usually progressing to jaundice. Mild fever may be present
or entirely absent
Preventive/Control Measures
1.
Adequate sterilization of syringes and needles.
Adequate sterilization of syringes and needles.
2.
Care should be exercised in the selection of
blood donors
Care should be exercised in the selection of
blood donors
3.
An individual with a history of hepatitis should
be excluded as a blood donor since carriers state is know to persist for five
years.
An individual with a history of hepatitis should
be excluded as a blood donor since carriers state is know to persist for five
years.
4.
Enforcement of strict discipline in blood banks
and rejection of persons with history of drug addition.
Enforcement of strict discipline in blood banks
and rejection of persons with history of drug addition.