Is Hepatitis A dangerous? Here is everything you need to know about Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is usually a short-term viral infection leading to inflammation of the liver, which does not normally lead to chronic illness or long-lasting organ damage, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition to Hepatitis A, India has a high number of cases of Hepatitis B and C. In India, 40 million people are chronically infected with Hepatitis B, and six to 12 million people are chronically infected with Hepatitis C, said World Health Organisation (WHO) data. Hepatitis A is not to be confused with the similarly named hepatitis B and C viruses, which can remain in the body long-term and are far more dangerous. Still, the disease can, in rare instances, be serious.

Hepatitis A and hepatitis E are important causes of acute viral hepatitis and acute liver failure (ALF) in India, said a report from the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

India has the ‘National Viral Hepatitis Control Program’ which has various components such as UIP, IEC, NACP, and Swachh Bharat that have been used to combat Hepatitis in the country, the report named ‘National Action Plan Combating Viral Hepatitis’ by Health Ministry said. The budget allocation for such programs has been estimated at Rs 907 crore over three years under the National Health Mission (NHM).

How is Hepatitis A transmitted?

The virus is highly contagious and spreads when one ingests it, often from contaminated food and water. It can also be spread through close physical or sexual contact.

How does Hepatitis A get onto food?

Hepatitis A and E usually cause acute hepatitis. They are transmitted mostly through exposure to contaminated food or water, or through personal contact with an infected person.

Thus, to fight Hepatitis A in India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been assigned “The duty of ensuring inter-sectoral collaboration with FSSAI for access to safe food through enforcement mechanisms at national, state and district levels. To promote and advocate for safe food to reduce the burden of hepatitis A & E amongst the general population and food business operators,” said the report of the Health Ministry.

What are the hepatitis symptoms to watch out for?

Symptoms typically develop two to seven weeks after infection. They can include skin and eyes turning yellow, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, or light-colored stools. But a person can transmit the disease up to two weeks before symptoms appear, and carriers are sometimes asymptomatic, making detection difficult. The best way to determine whether a patient has hepatitis A, as it can share symptoms with many other conditions, is with a blood test.

Is there a vaccine and is it curable?

As Hepatitis B is severe in comparison to A, only B has a vaccine in India. Hepatitis A can be prevented by maintaining good sanitation. A report by Health Ministry has said ‘Hepatitis B vaccine was introduced in the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) of India in 2002 and scaled up nationwide in 2011. Hepatitis B birth dose was introduced in the national programme in 2008.’

Hepatitis A and E are preventable by the use of safe drinking water and proper sanitation, said a report from the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Is it safe to eat frozen fruit?

In general, yes. While the most recent outbreak has caused alarm, it has still affected only a small number of people, with nine cases linked to contaminated strawberries reported across three states. Among those, three people were hospitalized and none of the cases have proved fatal.

One of the aims of the Indian government is to ‘Reduce the risk, morbidity, and mortality due to Hepatitis A and E,’ said the same report of the Health Ministry.