Hepatitis A Outbreak Affects 8,000 in Kerala’s Malappuram

May 16, 2024

There has been a big spread of Hepatitis A in Kerala’s Malappuram district, with about 8,000 cases and 12 deaths. The virus, which is known for being very contagious, usually affects kids younger than 15 years old, but it is now spreading to older people whose immune systems aren’t working as well.

What is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a highly contagious virus.
Infected individuals can show symptoms such as jaundice, fever, and stomach pain.
Symptoms typically appear between two to six weeks after contracting the virus.
In 99% of cases, the infection goes away on its own and does not damage the liver permanently.
Severe outcomes like liver failure or death are rare.

Transmission of the Virus

The main way the Hepatitis A virus gets from feces to mouth is through contaminated food or water. It can be found in the poop of an infected person before they even show any signs, and it can still be found after symptoms have gone away. Past cases, like those in Delhi and Kanpur, were caused by broken sewer lines and letting dirty water into the water supply.

What are the Symptoms and Diagnosis?

Symptoms: Some common signs are feeling sick, having a different color of pee, and having stomach pain. In the worst cases, it can cause tiredness, loss of awareness, and bleeding.
Diagnosis: In this case, medical tests like the Prothrombin Time (PT) test are very important for figuring out how well the liver is working and what kind of care is best, which could include staying in the hospital and being watched or even getting a liver transplant.

How to prevent Hepatitis A?

Getting vaccinated against Hepatitis A is the best way to avoid getting it. You can get this vaccine alone or with a vaccine against Hepatitis B. Hygiene habits like washing your hands well, being careful when preparing food, and boiling water is very important for stopping the spread of viruses. Even though portable water filters like RO systems are good at getting rid of many contaminants, they can’t get rid of viruses. Boiling water is still the best way to get clean water. To stop the spread of Hepatitis A, especially in areas where it is already common, people should keep themselves clean and stay away from things that could be contaminated, like street food or water sources that you don’t trust.

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