Epidemiology

Epidemiology Paper

In todays world there are numerous diseases that are becoming epidemic to the society. The one that I will be focusing on throughout my paper is Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. This virus is one of several types of hepatitis viruses that cause inflammation that affects your liver’s ability to function. During the centuries that followed, jaundice was reported, and outbreaks plagued military campaigns, both ancient and modern. In the 1920s, a viral etiology was suggested for what was then known as infectious hepatitis. Various viral agents were isolated from urine, blood and stool from patients with hepatitis in the first half of the 20th century. Moreover, the 27 nm particles of the hepatitis A virus were not described until 1973. This finding led to the development of serologic testing and more recently, molecular techniques, such as polymerases chain reaction. These events result in greater knowledge of the epidemiology, transmission and infectivity of hepatitis A virus, as well as in the development of preventive measures, including active and passive immunization (World Helath ORganization).

This disease is capable to affect anyone in the society. You are more likely to contract hepatitis A from contaminated food or water or from close contact with someone who is already infected. A mild care of hepatitis A does not require treatment and most people who are infected recover completely with no permanent liver damage. One way to keep the Hepatitis A virus away is by practicing good hygiene. This would include washing your hands often (Kalyoncu, D., & Urganci, N. 2012).

The Hepatitis virus is usually spreads when a person ingests tiny amount of contaminated fecal matter. Fecal matter is solid excretory product evacuated from the bowels. After ingesting the fecal matter, it infects liver cells and causes...