Synonyms in the broadest sense
Liver inflammation, liver parenchyma inflammation, viral hepatitis, hepatitis A virus (HAV), infectious jaundice of virus type A, travel jaundice, travel hepatitis, liver rhinitis
Definition
Liver cell inflammation caused by the hepatitis A virus is a typical tourist disease. In most cases it is transmitted by contaminated water and food, especially mussels. In most cases the symptoms are very discreet, so that this form of viral hepatitis is also called hepatic rhinitis. Hepatitis A never becomes chronic and can easily be prevented by a vaccination against the hepatitis A virus.
Pathogen and transmission
The hepatitis A pathogen belongs to the genus Picornaviridae, genus Hepatovirus. These viruses are rarely found in countries with careful hygiene measures and good drinking water and food hygiene. In Southeast Asia, Southern Europe (Mediterranean area), Russia, the Orient, Africa, Central and South America the disease occurs more frequently and is often brought to Germany from vacations. Hepatitis A is a so-called smear infection, whose source of infection is the faeces of infected persons (faecal-oral transmission route). The hepatitis A virus is transmitted in particular through infected (contagious) water and unboiled seafood.
The Hepatits A Virus
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the virus that causes hepatitis A (HA) and is considered to be responsible for 30% of all hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). As a single-stranded RNA virus, it belongs to the virus family Picornaviridae (genus of hepatoviruses). The virus measures 27nm in diameter and is very stable against temperature increases, disinfectants and other environmental influences.
The virus is excreted via the bile with the stool. However, the virus can also be transmitted through close contact with infected persons (including sexual, especially homosexual contact) and in rare cases through a transfusion of blood and blood products. The disease occurs more frequently in autumn and winter. The incubation period, i.e. the time between infection and outbreak of the disease, is between 14 and 45 days. –>