Type A viral hepatitis: epidemiology, diagnosis, and prevention

Clin Chem. 1997 Aug;43(8 Pt 2):1494-9.

Abstract

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection occurs worldwide and is an important cause of acute viral hepatitis in the US. In this review, I cover the epidemiology, course of infection, clinical manifestations, serological responses, and prevention of this infection. Although most patients completely recover from this disease, elderly patients have a substantial mortality risk. Recently licensed vaccines are highly efficacious.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Hepatitis A / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis A / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis A / mortality
  • Hepatitis A / prevention & control
  • Hepatovirus / genetics
  • Hepatovirus / physiology
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology