Hepatitis A Virus

Hepatitis A Virus is a topic covered in the Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics.

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General Principles

  • Transmitted via fecal–oral route and is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide.
  • Large-scale outbreaks can occur due to contamination of food and drinking water.
  • A vaccine is available, with two doses given at least 6 months apart.
  • The period of greatest infectivity is 2 weeks before the onset of clinical illness.
  • Viral shedding in infected patients’ feces continues for 2–3 weeks after the onset of symptoms.

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General Principles

  • Transmitted via fecal–oral route and is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide.
  • Large-scale outbreaks can occur due to contamination of food and drinking water.
  • A vaccine is available, with two doses given at least 6 months apart.
  • The period of greatest infectivity is 2 weeks before the onset of clinical illness.
  • Viral shedding in infected patients’ feces continues for 2–3 weeks after the onset of symptoms.

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