Dr. Josyann Abisaab

Hepatitis A in Brief

Infectious diseases of the liver fall into the following categories:  

•    Viral infections

•    Pyogenic liver abscess

•    Fungal and mycobacterial infections

•    Parasitic infections

 Out of those about 100 deaths are caused by fulminant hepatitis failure each year in the U.S. 

In 15% of the cases the illness develops into a lingering or relapsing disease. Hepatitis A accounts for from one fifth to one quarter of clinical hepatitis and most frequently affects children between the ages of 5 and 14 years old. The most common way in which hepatitis A is transmitted is through the fecal-oral route, through contaminated food and/or water.

There are several risk factors for hepatitis A which people should be aware of:

•    Contact with an infected person, the closer the contact the higher the risk.

•    Daycare centers or young children where workers handle diapers and then prepare meals.

•    Travel, especially internationally.

•    Raw oysters and clams can transmit water borne hepatitis A.

•    Intravenous drug use and in rare cases transfusions can increase risk.

Most cases of hepatitis A, and especially in the case of children, are asymptomatic, but when symptoms do present the patient will feel nausea, fatigue, myalgia, fever and jaundice. Adults usually have more severe symptoms than children. Aside from the less than 1% of patients that develop fulminant liver failure, almost all the rest experience complete recoveries.

Brief History of Emergency Medicine

The idea of having a specialized type of care called emergency medicine was begun in the year 1911 at the University of Louisville Hospital, located in Louisville, Kentucky. The renowned surgeon Arnold Griswold developed this revolutionary, but life-saving innovation further during the 1930s. Dr. Griswold also equipped police cars and fire trucks with medical supplies in addition to training police officers in emergency care so that the injured and/or ill could receive medical attention even while on route to the hospital.

This type of care has been developed and refined and is now known as emergency medicine. Today we have specialized vehicles called ambulances, which can transport people to the hospital while simultaneously administering the critical care a patient may need immediately in order to save his/her life. Dr. Josyann Abisaad is one of those doctors that must make the kind of quick decisions and give the appropriate care within seconds, and can mean the difference between life and death.

When to Visit the Emergency Room

 Approximately 300,000 Americans visit the emergency room each year. There is a huge variety of reasons to go, and according to experts in the field, it is better to be cautious and go even if you are not sure you really need to. The American College of Emergency Physicians has created a list of what doctors consider a potential medical emergency requiring a visit to the emergency room.

Included in this list are the following:

•    Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath

•    Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure

•    Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness

•    Changes in vision

•    Confusion or changes in mental status

•    Any sudden or severe pain

•    Uncontrolled bleeding

•    Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea

•    Coughing or vomiting blood

•    Suicidal feelings

•    Difficulty speaking

Dr. Josyann Abisaab is a good source for more information about when to visit the emergency room.

Emergency Room Care Advice

You’ve had an accident in the house and need to get to the emergency room.  Are you prepared?  Do you have all of the materials that you need to take with you? Do you know how you are getting there?

Here, we offer recommendations for things that you should know before this situation happens.  Hopefully, by reading this information now, you’ll be ready should a real accident occur. 

First, find out what urgent care facilities are in your area.  You might actually find that a 24-hour walk-in clinic or a minor emergency center is a better option for your injury.  You may find this option to be less expensive and faster than the actual emergency room of a hospital.  Check on your insurance coverage for these issues as well.  These facilities are often a good option when you want someone to see your sick child in the middle of the night.

Make sure that you know whether or not you need prior approval from your general care doctor to go to the hospital. Have the number of your doctor easily accessible and have someone who is not in pain call for you.

Know which hospital is associated with your insurance plan.  You want to go to the right place, and not get sent to another location when your time matters.  You should designate someone that you’ll want to come with you to the emergency room, as well.  Ask someone ahead of time if they will be willing to accompany you; it’s very helpful to have someone to navigate the system for you who isn’t in pain.