Medical Transcription Services Company

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is highly infectious and is spread by the faecal – oral route by persons incubating or suffering from the disease. Infected persons excrete viruses in the faeces for about 2 - 3 weeks before the onset of illness and for up to 2 weeks thereafter. Children are most commonly affected and conditions of overcrowding and poor sanitation facilitate spread. ln occasional out breaks water, milk and shellfish have been the vehicle of transmission.

The infection can be prevented by improving social conditions , especially overcrowding and poor sanitation.

Acute liver failure is rare in HAV infection and chronic infection does not occur. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus, surrounded by an outer coat – containing the surface antigen (HBs Ag). Humans are the only source of infection. Individuals incubating or suffering from acute Hepatitis are highly infectious for at least as long as the surface antigen (HBs Ag) is in the blood. HBV carrier is defined as the presence of HBsAg in blood for more than 6 months. These carriers provide a major reservoir of infection while blood is the main source of infection. Spread may follow transfusion of infected blood or blood products. or result from injections with contaminated needles, a mode of spread most common in drug abusers who share needles. Tattooing or acupuncture can also spread this disease if inadequately sterilized needles are used.

As surface antigen (HBs Ag) is present in body fluids such as saliva. urine, semen and vaginal secretions. many routes of transmission are possible. However close personal contact seems necessary for transmission, and sexual intercourse, especially in male homosexuals, is an important route of infection. The virus may also spread from HBsAG positive mother to her baby during parturition (at the time of birth).

Quick Inquiry
Name
Phone
Email
Description
Type the code shown below

Bookmark-www.brainstormworld.com