Hepatitis A
By: Maya Whiteley
Symptoms
Pain Areas: in abdomen, joints, or muscles
Gastrointestinal: diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
Whole Body: fatigue, fever, or loss of appetite
Also Common: dark urine, itching, weight loss, or yellow skin and eyes
Causes
The hepatitis A virus usually is spread when a person eats contaminated fecal matter, even a small amount. It infects liver cells and causing inflammation. The inflammation can effect liver function along with cause other signs of hepatitis a.
How it Replicates
Replicates using the lysogenic cycle. First the virus infects the host cell and then inserts its genetic material into the nucleus and it becomes part of the genetic material of the cell. Then the cell replicates making more viruses with the genetic material, and many cell divisions can occur. The cell then enters the lytic cycle which is where symptoms start to show up. The host cell makes so many viruses that the cell explodes and the cycle starts all over again.
Treatment
Clears up by itself in a few months. Rest and hydration can help, but alcohol should be avoided. An anti viral can be prescribed. The anti viral is called
Prevention
Hepatitis a vaccine, good hygiene, high quality water, and washing hands often are good ways to prevent getting the virus.
Immune Cells
Adaptive immune cells fight the virus.