Hepatitis Essay
Viral hepatitis are distinct diseases that affects and injures the liver due to the inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ. They are caused by the contamination of food or water, the practice of unsafe sex, and by the usage of dirty syringes or needles. There are six known types of hepatitis, but the three which are most common include
A-B-and C, as they cause about ninety percent of acute (lasts less than six months) hepatitis cases in Canada. Many people infected by this disease mistake it for the flu for its flu-like symptoms, or don’t notice it at all because it’s also possible to experience hepatitis with no symptoms at all. It is a lethal disease, as hepatitis B kills 500, 000 people alone each year. Many people have a complete recovery from this infection, while others unknowingly carry and spread it to other people (hc-sc.gv.ca).
The hepatitis A virus (HAV) was identified in 1973 and is an acute infectious disease of the liver and is most commonly passed on by the fecal-oral route by eating or drinking something that is contaminated. The virus is often caused by eating raw or undercooked food, food being handled by people who haven’t washed their hands, contaminated water by animals or human waste, or by sexual interaction with someone who’s already been infected. There are around 1.5 million diagnosed cases each year, with the incubation period ranging from 15-50 days, the average being around 28-30 days (hc-sc.gv.ca). Hepatitis A does not have a chronic stage and does not cause liver damage. Prevention from this virus can be by the Hepatitis A vaccination, and having a good hygiene. The vaccine has over a 95% rate against infection, and is given in two doses in the muscle of the upper arm. When the infection has occurred, the immune system generates antibodies against the HAV that protects the risk of additional infection. Therefore, people who have already recovered from Hepatitis A would not need a vaccine, as they are now immune to the
A-B-and C, as they cause about ninety percent of acute (lasts less than six months) hepatitis cases in Canada. Many people infected by this disease mistake it for the flu for its flu-like symptoms, or don’t notice it at all because it’s also possible to experience hepatitis with no symptoms at all. It is a lethal disease, as hepatitis B kills 500, 000 people alone each year. Many people have a complete recovery from this infection, while others unknowingly carry and spread it to other people (hc-sc.gv.ca).
The hepatitis A virus (HAV) was identified in 1973 and is an acute infectious disease of the liver and is most commonly passed on by the fecal-oral route by eating or drinking something that is contaminated. The virus is often caused by eating raw or undercooked food, food being handled by people who haven’t washed their hands, contaminated water by animals or human waste, or by sexual interaction with someone who’s already been infected. There are around 1.5 million diagnosed cases each year, with the incubation period ranging from 15-50 days, the average being around 28-30 days (hc-sc.gv.ca). Hepatitis A does not have a chronic stage and does not cause liver damage. Prevention from this virus can be by the Hepatitis A vaccination, and having a good hygiene. The vaccine has over a 95% rate against infection, and is given in two doses in the muscle of the upper arm. When the infection has occurred, the immune system generates antibodies against the HAV that protects the risk of additional infection. Therefore, people who have already recovered from Hepatitis A would not need a vaccine, as they are now immune to the
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