Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease caused by Hepatitis A virus. The disease is characterized by nonspecific symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, fatigue, generalized weakness, and aches and pains. Followed by nausea, vomiting, anorexia, dark urine and jaundice. The disease spectrum is characterized by the occurrence of numerous sub clinical or asymptomatic cases. The disease is benign with complete recovery in several weeks.
The main route of transmission is fecal oral, occasionally; Hepatitis A is transmitted by blood products or through illicit use of injectable drugs.
Clinical features
Incubation period 2-6 weeks, related to the infecting dose. Prodermal symptoms consist of
- Malaise
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
Onset of dark urine is usually the first indication of disease, followed by jaundice and pale stools. Color returns to the urine and stools after 2-3 weeks.
In most patients Hepatitis A infection is benign. Age is the most important determinant of the severity of Hepatitis A as also presence of chronic liver disease.
Complications of Hepatitis A
Complications mainly include
- cholestatic Hepatitis with itching and jaundice lasting up to 18 weeks.
- Relapsing core with second Hepatitis flare 30-90 days later; this resolves without chronic sequelae.
Diagnosis
- Serum bilirubin is elevated
- Albumin may be reduced in severe cases
- ALT levels indicate severity of hepatocyte lysis
- Presence of urine urobilinozen may be the first sign, even before jaundice.
- Specific diagnosis of acute hepatitis is based on detection of IgM antibody to Hepatitis A virus, present in the serum for 3-6 months from onset of clinical symptoms
- Positive IgG anti- HAV, in absence of IgM anti-HAV, indicates past exposure to HAV and immunity to the virus.
Treatment of Hepatitis A
Treatment mainly depends upon medical condition of the patient
Homeopathic treatment of Hepatitis A – Homeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach. This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering. The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat Hepatitis A infection but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several well-proved medicines are available for Hepatitis A treatment that can be selected on the basis of cause, sensation and modalities of the complaints. For individualized remedy selection and treatment, the patient should consult a qualified homeopathic doctor in person. Some important remedies are given below for Hepatitis A treatment:
Chelidonium – is one of our greatest liver remedy. It acts on portal system, right side of the abdomen and right lower lung. Acts very well over the cases of Hepatitis A. it covers many of the direct reflex symptoms of the diseased condition of liver. It manifests the congestion inflammation, fullness and enlargement in semi-chronic and acute cases. The keynote of the remedy is tearing, shooting, stitching pains from the liver region traveling to the back below the right shoulder blade. Hot drinks and hot milk relieves.
Brynoia – excellent remedy for inflammation of the liver, the right lobe of the liver is mostly affected and feels like a load in the hypochondrium. Every slightest movement hurts, with burning and stitching pains and nausea.
Podophyllum – remarkable remedy for Hepatitis A. there is congestion and enlargement of the liver with great irritability of the liver, slight rubbing of the liver helps, the discomfort is aggravated by slightest thought or smell of food.
Carduus mar – remedy for Hepatitis A cases where there is feeling of enlarged liver, pressure feeling worse by lying on the left side, left liver is full and engorged and sensitive. Concomitant symptoms here are haemoptysis due to congestion of the liver and lungs.
Ptelea trifoliate – aching in the liver aggravated by lying on the left side, voracious or poor appetite. Develops a repugnance to animal food, rich puddings, of which he is very fond of, butter and fats aggravate his hepatic symptoms.
Lycopodium – has sore pain in the right hypochondrium which is aggravated by touch. Intense flatulence by 4 p.m as if everything that he takes turns in to gas or wind, better by warm drinks.
Phosphorous – remarkable medicine for hepatitis A cases has hyperaemia and enlargement of liver. Craves cold food and drink, ice cream and wine, has bed effects of excessive intake of salt. As soon as the cold water becomes hot in the stomach he vomits. Phosphorous is useful when there is suppuration in the Hepatitis, Hectic fever, night sweats and marked soreness over the liver.
Arsenic – which is acute of phosphorous has burning thirst and drinks bit by bit, but warm water. This burning of arsenic is better by warm application. There is typical; arsenic anxiety and restless.
Nux Vom – has constrictive pains in the region of the liver, the liver is swollen, indurated and sensitive with pressure. Aversion to meat, tobacco and coffee, ale etc, the patient is chilly and irritable.
Myrica Cerifera – it has marked action on the liver with Hepatitis A infection. Distinctive features are pain in the liver, fullness, dull heavy headache, worse in the morning, weakness with ash colored stools, slow pulse and pain under the scapula, jaundice of all degrees. Low potency found to be working better.
Cornus Circinata – has caused liver derangements, with aching eyeballs, disturbed sleep, weakness in the morning, pain in the pit of the stomach, with distended abdomen. Dark foul stools, burning in anus, vesicular eruption on the face.
