What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable, communicable disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV).How Is Hepatitis A Transmitted?
It is usually transmitted person-to-person through the fecal-oral route or consumption of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A is a self-limited disease that does not result in chronic infection.Homeless Encampments
Outbreaks of Hepatitis A happen at homeless encampments. This is often due to the unsanitary conditions, injection drug use, and the close living quarters of infected persons.Hepatitis A Symptoms
Adults
Usually resolves within 2 months of infection.- Fatigue
- Low Appetite
- Stomach Pain
- Nausea
- Jaundice
Children
Most children under 6 years old do not show symptoms or may have an unrecognized infectionAfter contracting Hepatitis A, the body will produce antibodies that help protect against reinfection.
Prevention
—————Hep A Vaccination
The best way to prevent hepatitis A infection is to get vaccinated.Hand Washing
Washing hands before eatingInfectious Diseases Spread Through Poop
Human Poop is a biohazard. Some infections and diseases are spread when spores or microscopic amounts of feces is spread from one person to another by mouth. This can happen directly from hand to mouth or indirectly from objects, surfaces, foods, or water tainted with feces. Some examples of diseases spread by feces are:
- C Diff
- Hepatitis A
- Campylobacter Infection
- Cryptosporidium Infection
- Giardia Infection
- Meningitis
- Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease
- Rotavirus Infection
- Salmonella
- Shigella Infection
- Thrush
- Viral gastroenteritis
- Worms
- Yersinia Infection