Viral hepatitis A prevention

Viral hepatitis A prevention refers to pre-exposure prophylaxis or post-exposure immunization against infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), an enterically transmitted picornavirus that targets the hepatic system

Viral hepatitis A prevention refers to pre-exposure prophylaxis or post-exposure immunization against infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), an enterically transmitted picornavirus that targets the hepatic system Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route through direct contact with an infectious person or ingestion of contaminated food or water, placing non-immune children, travelers to endemic areas, and populations experiencing homelessness or substance use at heightened...

Pathophysiologically, HAV replication in hepatocytes triggers immune-mediated hepatocellular injury, clinically manifesting as an acute, self-limited illness characterized by fever, malaise, nausea, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice Prophylaxis aims to avert symptomatic acute hepatitis, prolonged cholestasis, and rare complications such as fulminant hepatic failure in susceptible individuals