It is an inflammation of the liver.
It has a incubation period of two to six weeks.
It is transmitted by the fecal-oral route (contaminated water, milk, and food, especially inadequately cooked shellfish).
It is communicable for one week before and two weeks after onset of symptoms.
Poor sanitation.
Crowded conditions.
Ingestion of raw or steamed shellfish.
Age (those younger than 15 are most vulnerable).
Preicteric stage lasts about a week.
Loss of appetite.
Fever and chills.
Nausea and vomiting.
Headache.
Tenderness in right upper quadrant.
Weakness.
Icteric lasts about four to six weeks.
Jaundice.
Liver tenderness.
Anorexia.
Nausea and vomiting.
Weakness.
Dark urine.
Itching.
Posticteric stage (diminishing icter signs and symptoms).
Wash hands thoroughly.
Obtain immune serum globulin injections if exposure is possible (e.g., travel to undeveloped countries or exposure to a person with positive hepatitis).
Screen all food handlers.
Isolate newly imported animals.
Perform good personal and environmental hygiene.
Obtain adequate rest and eat a well-balanced diet.
Care givers should follow enteric precautions (wear gown and gloves if handling any potentially infectious materials).
Assess and report any signs of bleeding.
Decrease itching:
Take medications or apply lotions as prescribed.
Take cool showers and avoid high temperatures.
Keep fingernails short to prevent injury.
Take general comfort measures.
Get adequate nutrition.
Eat small, frequent meals and fluids.
Eat high-calorie, nutritious foods. (Provide "Increased Calorie" handout.)
Get adequate rest.
Fulminant viral hepatitis.
Cirrhosis of the liver.