NCM 104 - CHN (RLE) 1

WHAT IS HEPATITIS A?
(Infectious hepatitis, epidemic hepatitis, catarrhal jaundice)

A form of acute hepatitis occurring either sporadically or in epidemics and caused by viruses
introduced by fecally contaminated water or food. Young people especially school children are
most frequently infected.

Hepatitis A is a viral liver disease that can cause mild to severe illness. Almost everyone
recovers fully from hepatitis A with lifelong immunity. However, a very small proportion of
people infected with hepatitis A could die from fulminant hepatitis.

Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease and is rarely fatal, but
it can cause debilitating symptoms and fulminant hepatitis (acute liver failure), which is often
fatal.

The disease can lead to significant economic and social consequences in communities. It can take
weeks or months for people recovering from the illness to return to work, school, or daily life.
The impact on food establishments identified with the virus, and local productivity in general,
can be substantial.

CAUSATIVE AGENT
Hepatitis A virus

Anyone who has not been vaccinated or previously infected can get infected with Hepatits A
virus. In areas where the virus is widespread (high endemicity), most hepatitis A infections occur
during early childhood.

Mode of Transmission:
 Poor sanitation
 Contaminated water supplies
 Unsanitary method of preparing and serving food
 Malnutrition
 Disaster and wartime conditions
The virus can also be transmitted through close physical contact (such as oral-anal-sex) with an
infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

INCUBATION PERIOD
Fifteen to fifty days, depending on dose; average 2830 days

CAÑIZARES, Swena Grace D.

BSN 11-B
NCM 104 - CHN (RLE) 2

Adults have signs and symptoms of illness more often than children. The severity of disease and
fatal outcomes are higher in older age groups.

Signs and Symptoms:

 Influenza - like such as headache
 Malaise and easy fatigability
 Anorexia and abdominal discomfort/pain
 Nausea and vomiting
 Fever
 Lymphadenopathy - or adenopathy is disease of the lymp nodes, in which they are abnormal
in size or consistency.
 Jaundice accompanied by pruritus and urticaria
 Bilirubinemia with clay-colored stools

DIAGNOSTIC EXAM
Specific diagnosis is made by the detection of HAV-specific Immunoglubolin G (IgM)
antibodies in the blood. Additional tests include reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
(RT-PCR) to detect the hepatitis A virus RNA, and may require specialized laboratory facilities.

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
 Prophylaxis - “IM” injection of gamma globulin
 Complete bed rest (CBR)
 Low fat diet but high in sugar
Recovery from symptoms following infection may be slow and may take several weeks or
months. Most important is the avoidance of unnecessary medications.
Acetaminophen/Paracetamol and medication against vomiting should not be given.

Hospitalization is unnecessary in the absence of acute liver failure. Therapy is aimed at

maintaining comfort and adequate nutritional balance, including replacement of fluids that are
lost from vomiting and diarrhea.

Prevention and Control:

 Ensure safe water for drinking
 Sanitary method in preparing handling and serving food
 Proper disposal of feces and urine
 Washing hands very well before eating and after using toilet
 Separate and proper cleaning of articles used by patients

CAÑIZARES, Swena Grace D.

BSN 11-B
NCM 104 - CHN (RLE) 3

NURSING MANAGEMENT
Nursing care planning and management for patients with hepatitis includes:
 Reducing demands of the liver while promoting physical well-being
 Preventing complications of hepatitis
 Enhance self-concept
 Acceptance of situation; and
 Providing information about the disease process, prognosis, treatment.

REFERENCES
 National League of Philippine Government Nurses, Public Health Nursing in the
Philippines, 10th ed.,
 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/LymphadenopathyWorld Health Organization, Hepatitis A,
9 July 2019, accessed August 25, 2019,
<https://www.who.int/new-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-a>
 7 Hepatitis Nursing Care Plans, Matt Vera, BSN, R.N., 10 June 2012, accessed August 25,
2019, <https://nurseslabs.com/7-hepatitis-nursing-care-plans/>

CAÑIZARES, Swena Grace D.

BSN 11-B