How long is the incubation period of hepatitis A

Hepatitis A, also known as hepatitis A virus, is a very common liver problem. This type of liver disease has a certain incubation period. Generally, the incubation period is between 15 and 45 days. If you find that you have hepatitis A, you must seek timely care. In addition, since hepatitis A is contagious, preventive measures need to be taken. Next, I will introduce you to some relevant knowledge about hepatitis A!

1. Introduction to Hepatitis A

Viral hepatitis A (abbreviated as hepatitis A) is an acute liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It is mainly transmitted through the fecal-oral route and is more common in children and adolescents. The main manifestations are loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, hepatomegaly and abnormal liver function. Fever is often present at the beginning of the disease. The clinical course is usually self-limited, and most patients can return to normal within a few weeks.

2. How long is the incubation period of hepatitis A?

Generally, the incubation period of hepatitis A is 15 to 45 days, with an average of 30 days. After infection with HAV, the virus is excreted in the feces during the last 10 days of the incubation period, and most people stop excreting the virus 2 weeks after onset of the disease.

3. Prevention and care of hepatitis A

1. Control the source of infection: Acute patients should be isolated according to the digestive tract until 3 weeks after the onset of the disease. Patients in childcare institutions must be isolated until their liver function returns to normal and pathogenic markers are negative. The patient's feces and excrement should be strictly disinfected, and people who produce and sell food should undergo regular physical examinations.

2. Cut off the transmission route, maintain good environmental hygiene, strengthen water and feces management, develop good hygiene habits, do not eat half-cooked aquatic products, etc.

3. Protect susceptible people. Immunoglobulin preparations contain highly potent anti-HAV and can effectively prevent the disease if injected within 7 to 14 days after contact with the patient. In recent years, hepatitis A vaccine has been widely used. It is safe and immunogenic, and can produce neutralizing antibodies that can prevent and stop infection. Zhejiang, Shanghai, Kunming, Changchun and other places in my country have produced live attenuated hepatitis A vaccines. Judging from the vaccination of primary school students and some young children, the reactions are mild and the safety is good. The inactivated vaccines from SmithKline and Merck also have good antigenicity. The genetically engineered vaccine currently under development is an ideal vaccine with high purity and high efficacy for preventing hepatitis A.