Medical Surgical Nursing

A. HEPATITIS A VIRUS (HAV)

 HAV accounts for 20% to 25% of cases of clinical hepatitis in the developed

world.

 Hepatitis A, formerly called infectious hepatitis, is caused by an RNA virus of

the Enterovirus family.

 The mode of transmission of this disease is the fecal–oral route, primarily

through the ingestion of food or liquids infected by the virus. The virus has been

found in the stool of infected patients before the onset of symptoms and during

the first few days of illness.

 The incubation period is estimated to be 15 to 50 days, with an average of 30

days

Clinical Manifestations

 Many patients are anicteric (without jaundice) and symptomless.

 If symptoms appear, they are of a mild, flu-like upper respiratory tract infection,

with low-grade fever.