How to Prevent & Treat Monsoon Diseases (Part 3) :Hepatitis A – A type of Jaundice
In previous Tips,
we had discussed about
2 Monsoon Diseases caused by
contaminated Water& food
Cholera
&
Typhoid
Today we will discuss third disease under the series that is
Hepatitis A also known as Jaundice .
Hepatitis means-
Inflammation or enlargement of your liver.
There are many causes of Hepatitis:
-Drugs
-Toxins
-Alcohol
-Virus
-Other infection and
-Physical damage
Today we discuss Hepatitis cause due to Virus.
Viruses that primarily attack you liver are called hepatitis virus.
There are various type of viruses –
Type A, B, C, D, E, and possibly G
Type A, B and C are most common
Today we will discuss HEPATITIS -A.
Like Typhoid and Cholera, Hepatitis -A spread though faeco oral route.
Faeces and urine from the patient and carrier
contaminate water and soil.
It also spread through flies and finger of the carrier and patient.
They contaminate foods that is raw or cooked
and when you have such food, You get infected with Hepatitis.
Initial symptoms are—
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Liver enlargement
Late symptoms are—
- Jaundice that is yellow discoloration of skin and sclera
- Dark urine
- Pale stool.
High risk:
Highest attack rate is among children that is
age group between 5—14 years
Treatment:
No specific treatment exists for Hepatitis -A.
your body will clear Hepatitis-A virus on its own.
In most cases of Hepatitis- A,
your liver heals within six months with no lasting damage.
However, this does not mean that you don’t need to consult your Doctor.
Your Doctor will get your regular blood test done, to make sure that your liver is healing properly.
If anything goes wrong with your liver, you need to tackle it immediately
with the help of your doctor.
Your doctor will also help you coping with your signs and symptoms of Hepatitis-A
What can you do from your side-
- Get plenty of rest especially in the initial stage of infection
as you feel very tired .
Your perception of immunity or fatigue or malaise is the best determinant for your rest.
- Reduce your itching by maintaining cool and well ventilated environment.
Wear lose cloths and avoid hot bath or shower.
- Eat smaller and lighter meals.
As you generally suffer from loss of appetite.
So the main concern is ensuring that you get adequate nutrition and avoid permanent liver damage.
Have cooked food as far as possible and,
- Avoid Alcohol, As drinking alcohol may put additional change on your liver ,so avoid it.
Prevention—
- Wash your hand before every meals
- Have boiled water
- Avoid restaurant with poor hygiene
- Wash fruits and vegetables before use
- Keep your surrounding clean.
So, actually speaking,
Monsoon Diseases are in fact,
Diseases caused by lack of hygiene.
Remember
SWACHCHH BHARAT is SWASTH BHARAT
Providing simple solutions
for complexities of life:
Dr Bhumita Makwana
Your Dietitian & Cosmetic Clinician