Spring caught off guard while fighting COVID-19... Increasing trend of Type A infection patients, more than double compared to last year

'Adding Insult to Injury' Increase in Legally Reportable Infectious Diseases Transmitted Between People; Personal Hygiene and Food Intake Precautions Needed

In the month of family gatherings with frequent dining out, the number of hepatitis A patients is on the rise. [Image source=Clipart Korea]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] While the focus has been on fighting COVID-19, another infectious disease is taking hold, making May a cruel month with one disaster after another.

Even when following quarantine guidelines and paying attention to preventing COVID-19 infection, the probability of contracting other infectious diseases is increasing, requiring greater caution when going out or dining out.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, since 2021, the number of patients with hepatitis A, a second-class notifiable infectious disease, had been maintained below 100 per week but began to increase to over 100 from March 7, sharply rising to 192 by the end of April. This is more than double the number during the same period last year.

Since hepatitis A can be transmitted between people, the medical community expects it to increase further in May, when outings increase and family dining becomes more frequent.

Hepatitis A is an acute liver inflammation disease caused by infection with the hepatitis A virus, which can be transmitted between people through fecal-oral routes, including ingestion of virus-contaminated water or food.

After infection, the virus passes through the intestines into the bloodstream, then multiplies inside liver cells causing inflammation.

After an average incubation period of 28 days, symptoms such as fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, dark brown urine, and jaundice appear.

Diagnosis is made through blood and stool tests, and since there is no antiviral treatment for hepatitis A virus, symptomatic treatment is provided according to the symptoms.

Most patients recover, but dehydration caused by frequent vomiting or, rarely, fulminant hepatitis may require hospitalization.

Kim Ji-yeon, head of the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center at Daedong Hospital, said, “As hepatitis A patients are increasing, May being Family Month with more family dining, it is necessary to pay more attention to personal hygiene management and food intake.”

Dr. Kim advised, “Avoid consuming foods like salted clams whose safety is not confirmed, and shellfish should be heated at 90℃ for 4 minutes before consumption.”

Since hepatitis A is contagious, special care in personal hygiene management is necessary. To prevent hepatitis A, it is essential to make a habit of washing hands with soap under running water for more than 30 seconds before and after eating.

For safe food consumption, water should be boiled before drinking, and food should be cooked thoroughly. Vegetables and fruits should be washed cleanly and peeled before eating. Since hepatitis A can be prevented through vaccination, it is recommended to get vaccinated.

Daedong Hospital Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center Specialist Ji-yeon Kim.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.