CPD articles
Hepatitis A: disease, epidemiology and control
The aim of this article is to discuss the general characteristics of the hepatitis A virus (HAV), disease, transmission, epidemiology and control methods.
After reading this article you should be able to:
Describe the general characteristics of the hepatitis A virus
Describe the routes of transmission
Describe the disease process
Compare the global incidence of hepatitis A with the incidence in England and Wales
Describe control methods for an outbreak of hepatitis A in the community
Understand the rationale for using hepatitis A vaccination and the use of human normal immunoglobulin (HNIG).
Discuss the role of the primary health care team in managing cases of hepatitis A in the community.
