nurse's notes

INFECTIOUS HEPATITIS -

• disease is acquired through ingestion of food or liquid infected with virus. It is transmitted by direct or indirect contact
• an infected person working in a restaurant can spread the disease
• those people who drink sewage- contaminated water or eat shellfish from sewage polluted shoreland
  
• incubation period 2 - 7 weeks

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

• symptoms of mild upper respiratory infention
• fever
• jaundice
• anorexia
  
• nausea
• heartburn
• flatulence
• liver and spleen are moderately enlarged

Nursing Care and Medical Management

• Bed rest
• diet should be nutritious -optimal foods and fluid levels to counter act weight loss
  
• anorexia- small but frequent feeding and be supplemented as ordered by the physician