There has been a growing concern about the rise of Hepatitis A epidemic in the US. According to a study, the epidemic has spread to over 29 states in the US and has affected more than 23600 people across the nation since 2016. That should be the reason enough to check if you need a Hepatitis A vaccine right away, to keep your health in the good stead.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver ailment that can prove to be very fatal. The numbers of 3200 people affected and 15 killed due to the disease in Ohio alone should be alarming enough. The situation in other states is not any good enough. Colorado recently reported its first death due to the health issue. Noticeably, the outbreak of the epidemic was reported just around a year ago.
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A, as we already claimed, is a liver disease and is caused by Hepatitis A virus. While it can last a few days for some, it can even cause huge problems lasting a few months.
There are several reasons you can contaminate Hepatitis A. It is basically an inflammation of the liver caused by several reasons that may include toxins, alcohol misuse, immune diseases, or infection. You are most likely to get the disease when you drink or eat something that has come into contact with the excreta of someone who has the infection already.
While under normal circumstances, it may not be dangerous, but recent deaths – although minuscule – have made it practical to ensure you have taken Hepatitis A vaccine. A WHO report states that there are over 1.4 million hepatitis A cases reported every year.
Hepatitis A Symptoms
Well, knowing the Hepatitis A symptoms can help you stay safer in the long run and take necessary medication right in time. Some of the signs that can tell you have a hepatitis A infection can be
- Jaundice
- Pain in your belly
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
How would you contract Hepatitis A?
Anything that brings you into contact with the people affected with Hepatitis A can make you a victim as well. Some examples can be
- Having sex with someone who has Hepatitis A
- Eating food prepared by a Hepatitis A infected person.
- Sewage contaminated raw fish or vegetables
- Food, fruits and other eatables that are handled by people who do not follow proper hygiene.
- Polluted water
You can even contract Hepatitis A if you happen to visit the country affected with the epidemic.
Does Hepatitis A Vaccine have any side effects?
The vaccine does not have any sort of side effects 50 percent of the cases. If you are someone who is actually affected by the side effects, they should last no more than a couple of days.
Common side effects can include
- Soreness
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
The epidemic is not dangerous and should be treated effectively if you take a proper vaccination. Ideally, the symptoms should go away within a period of two weeks in most cases.
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