Many in the Dark About Hepatitis A

Most parents uninformed about childhood disease and vaccine, study says

FRIDAY, Dec. 13 (HealthScoutNews) -- Most American parents don't know how hepatitis A is transmitted, how serious it can be, or how it affects the body.

So says a survey released recently by the American Liver Foundation.

About 200,000 cases of hepatitis A, an infectious liver disease, are reported each year in the United States, and 100 Americans die from the disease annually. Hepatitis A is the most common vaccine-preventable disease in the United States, and half the reported cases are children.

The foundation says the survey findings show that low awareness, misunderstanding and confusion about hepatitis A are among the factors that explain why this easily preventable disease is so common.

The survey of 865 American parents found that 43 percent aren't aware of the serious health problems that can be caused by hepatitis A, and 40 percent don't know the disease can be fatal.

Only 3 percent of the parents included hepatitis A when asked which diseases their children should be vaccinated against.

The survey also revealed the important role of doctors in educating parents. The survey found that 90 percent of parents rely on their pediatricians to inform them about necessary vaccinations for their children.

Hepatitis A can cause severe complications of the liver and, in rare cases, death. The disease is spread by consumption of contaminated food or water, close personal contact, or by fecal matter coming in contact with the mouth.

Fever, fatigue, appetite loss, nausea, abdominal discomfort, jaundice and dark urine are among the symptoms of hepatitis A. People who are infected can infect others up to two weeks before they have any symptoms.

More information

To learn more about hepatitis A, go to the American Liver Foundation.

--Robert Preidt