A Member of the University of Maryland Medical System   |   In Partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Share

Email PageEmail Print PagePrint
Loading

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Hepatitis A - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Hepatitis viral; Hepatitis infecciosa

Definición:

Es la inflamación (irritación e hinchazón) del hígado por el virus de la hepatitis A.

Ver también:

Causas:

El virus de la hepatitis A se encuentra sobre todo en las heces y la sangre de una persona infectada aproximadamente de 15 a 45 días antes de que se presenten los síntomas y durante la primera semana de la enfermedad.

Usted puede contraer la hepatitis A si:

  • Come o bebe alimentos o agua que han sido contaminados por heces (materia fecal) que contienen el virus (frutas, verduras, mariscos, hielo y agua son fuentes comunes del virus de la hepatitis A)
  • Entra en contacto con las heces o la sangre de una persona que en el momento tiene la enfermedad
  • Una persona con hepatitis A no se lava las manos apropiadamente después de ir al baño y toca otros objetos o alimentos
  • Participa en prácticas sexuales que implican contacto oral y anal

Cada año, se reportan aproximadamente 3,600 casos de hepatitis A. Debido a que no todas las personas tienen síntomas con la infección por hepatitis A, muchas más personas están infectadas de las que se reportan o diagnostican.

Los factores de riesgo son, entre otros:

  • Viajes internacionales, especialmente a Asia, Sur o Centroamérica
  • Consumo de drogas intravenosas
  • Vivir en internados o centros de rehabilitación
  • Trabajar en las industrias de atención médica, alimentos o manejo de aguas residuales

Otras infecciones comunes por el virus de la hepatitis son la hepatitis B y la hepatitis C, pero la hepatitis A es la menos grave y la más leve de estas enfermedades. Las otras infecciones de hepatitis pueden convertirse en enfermedades crónicas, pero no la hepatitis A.

  • Reviewed last on: 11/23/2010
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Recommended immunization schedules for children, adolescents, and adults -- United States, 2010 (accessed November 9, 2010).

Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Update: Prevention of hepatitis A after exposure to hepatitis A virus and in international travelers. Updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2007;56:1080-1084.

Hoofnagle JH. Acute viral hepatitis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 151.

Sjogren MH, Cheatham JG. Hepatitis A. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 77.

Victor JC, Monto AS, Surdina TY, Suleimenova SZ, Vaughan G, Nainan OV, Favorov MO, Margolis HS, Bell BP. Hepatitis A vaccine versus immune globulin for postexposure prophylaxis. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:1685-1694.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com
Adam QualityA.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com
Connect with UMMC
Facebook Twitter YouTube Blog iPhone

Please rate the quality of this article.

Do you find this article to be helpful / informative?
              
Poor                                       Excellent

Do you have any brief comments on this page: (up to 255 characters)

© 2011 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). All rights reserved.
UMMC is a member of the University of Maryland Medical System,
22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. TDD: 1-800-735-2258 or 1.866.408.6885