[Trending News] Hepatitis Outbreaks A: How do they arise and there is reason for concern?

There is no alarm reason for a hepatitis A surge, even with the infection of at least 20 people in the Setúbal district. The increase in cases recorded by Arrábida's local health unit, mostly in adolescents with an average ages of 12 years, has not caused serious cases – except for a person who is still hospitalized.

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis is usually transmitted when you eat something contaminated with feces from an infected person, whether water or food, for example. And, like all hepatitis, it causes typical symptoms such as loss of appetite, vomiting, fatigue, dark urine, some malaise and jaundice, since it is an acute liver infection-caused by hepatitis A virus A.

As the Directorate General of Health (DGS), “the infection is very contagious and sometimes can lead to outbreaks with people infected for several weeks or even months.” This is the most common cause of viral hepatitis.

In addition to eating food, the virus can also be transmitted by contact between people, namely sexual contact, especially with oral sex after anal sex, for example.

Is there a reason for concern?

No. Hepatitis A does not become chronic and the infection usually does not last more than a few weeks, although some symptoms may be severe – and sometimes fatal. “Usually hepatitis A does not cause serious complications or permanent damage and people completely recover,” says DGS in their site.

However, the most severe cases are usually located in places where access to drinking water, cleaning and health care are not guaranteed.

The most common risk behaviors in Portugal are the consumption of poorly passed meat, poorly cooked eggs or raw and poorly washed vegetables, which can easily transmit the virus. Not washing your hands after going to the bathroom or changing the diapers is another transmission vehicle.

Is it unusual?

No. Still last year, at least two hepatitis A outbreaks were reported, one in the Lisbon region and Tagus Valley in March, with about 40 cases identified, and another in the Algarve region of August, with about 25 cases registered In the following months.

In recent decades, Portugal has been considered a country of low endemicity, despite the existence of these small outbreaks. This is a different situation from the 1980s, where the transmission of hepatitis A was quite prevalent, especially due to lack of sanitation and hygiene and drinking water conditions that reduced the risk of infection.

The last big outbreak in Portugal was in 2017, with 641 people infected with hepatitis A – a still low number. Between 2015 and 2023, for example, there were a total of 951 identified cases (641 of them in 2017), according to the DGS 2024 report on viral hepatitis.

How is it?

There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A, but for symptoms caused by the disease. In addition, it is recommended to eat many liquids and rest. The virus is eliminated through the feces up to a week after the appearance of symptoms.

However, it is possible to prevent through vaccination, which is available in Portugal with two doses and the protection lasts life – this vaccine is not included in the national vaccination plan. Still, personal hygiene and proper preparation of food should be sufficient to avoid these infections.

What is the difference with others?

Unlike other types of hepatitis, hepatitis A does not cause long -term damage and is not a chronic infection. There are six different types of hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, and G.

In addition to hepatitis A, the most common viral forms are hepatitis B and C, whose transmission requires the contact of the virus with the patient's blood through other fluids, which can be sexually, in syringe sharing, blood transfusion or even from mother to child during pregnancy. In these two viral forms of hepatitis, the disease often becomes chronic.

Hepatitis B will be the most dangerous and affects millions of people around the world. For example, in Portugal, there were 1503 new cases diagnosed between 2015 and 2023. Despite its severity, it can also be prevented by vaccine.

Hepatitis C is also quite serious and is the main origin of liver cancer, for example. In the period between 2015 and 2023, almost 1900 new cases were diagnosed. Both viral hepatitis are associated with the sharing of syringes in injectable drug use – which has motivated the increase in tests and syringe exchange programs since 1993.