| Disease |
Transmitted through
contaminated food and water |
Transmitted through blood and
body fluids. |
| Hepatitis
A (HAV) |
Hepatitis
B (HBV) |
| Sources of
Infections |
- Ingestion of contaminated water of food - especially raw or
insufficiently cooked (fruits / vegetables / seafood)
- Cooked food handled by infected individuals
- Close person to person contact (within families / schools /
daycare centres etc.).
|
- Contacts with infected blood and body fluids.
- Contaminated IV needles, tattoo / body piercing and sharp
instruments.
- Having sex with infected person or multiple partners.
- Infected mother to new born.
|
| Who is at risk? |
Young and
adolescent children unexposed to infection in early childhood
because of improved standards of living. Household / outside contact
with and infected person can lead to infection. |
Infant born to
infected mother; people having sex with an infected person or
multiple partners; I.V. drug users, healthcare workers &
hemodialysis patients. |
| Onset of
clinical disease |
Usually
abrupt |
Usually
gradual |
| Clinical
symptoms last for |
6
weeks - 3 months |
6
weeks - 3 months |
| Severity |
Age dependent.
Symptoms more severe and common in adolescents and adults. May
require hospitalization occasionally and in some cases, may lead to
death. 10% of cases may relapse. |
Age dependent
and occasionally severe. May lead to chronic carrier stage. Can also
develop into fulminant hepatitis. |
| Signs and
Symptoms |
Light stools,
dark urine, fatigue, fever and jaundice. |
Carriers may
have no symptoms. some people may have mild flu like symptoms, dark
urine, light stools, jaundice, fatigue and fever. |
| Treatment |
No effective
treatment. |
Interferon is
effective in certain select cases. |
| Prevention |
Yes,
Vaccine available.
Immunoglobulin available. |
Yes,
Vaccine available.
Immunoglobulin available. |
| Other
preventive measures |
Maintain
personal hygiene. Eat well cooked food (steaming may not be enough).
Drink boiled water. Ensure proper sewage disposal. |
Safe sex. Clean
up any infected blood with bleach and wear protective gloves. Do not
share razors or toothbrushes. |
