| Theme |
Liver in Infection Diseases |
| Title |
Imported Viral Hepatitis |
| Author |
Hiroshi Yatsuhashi |
Institute for Clinical Research, Nagasaki Chuo National Hospital |
| Author |
Michitami Yano |
Institute for Clinical Research, Nagasaki Chuo National Hospital |
| [ Summary ] |
There are five kinds of hepatitis viruses. The infectious route for hoth hepatitis A and hepatitis E is a fecal-oral one. Both are imported types of hepatitis. Patients infected with hepatitis A or hepatitis E show symptoms such as jaundice, anorexia or general fatigue. Their clinical course is acute hepatitis but not chronic hepatitis. The prognosis for acute hepatitis A is generally good, however some patients over fifty years old have a possibility of developing severe hepatitis. Attention should be given to proper cooking of food and boiling water by travelers in areas where both viruses are endemic. An effective and confirmed preventive method for hepatitis A is pre-vaccination before going abroad. |