Hepatitis A is a virus that causes infection of the liver.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis “A”?
· Symptoms
usually begin 2 to 6 weeks after exposure to the virus. The duration of illness varies; most people recover within 3 weeks. Hepatitis
A infection is more severe with age, and in rare circumstances, can cause severe complications and liver failure.
· In adults,
early symptoms include nausea (upset stomach), loss of appetite, vomiting, fatigue, fever, and abdominal cramps (stomach or side pain).
· Dark
yellow or brown urine, pale or white-colored stool (bowel movements), and jaundice (yellow eyes or skin) may also be present but do
not occur in all cases.
· Persons can have all or only a few of these symptoms.
· Young children who are infected with Hepatitis
A may have only a mild flu-like illness without jaundice, or may have no symptoms.
How is Hepatitis “A” spread?
1. The virus lives
in the liver and is passed in the stool.
2. The virus enters another person when hands, food, or objects contaminated with stool
are put in the mouth. The amount of contamination needed to spread the infection is very small and is not visible to the eye.
3. Spread
occurs when an infected person does not thoroughly wash his/her hands after going to the bathroom.
4. Hepatitis A can be spread
through drinking water or eating shellfish contaminated with the virus.
5. Hepatitis A can also be spread through sexual activity
if hands or mouth come in contact with stool or parts of he body contaminated with stool.
6. A person is most contagious during
the 2 weeks before the illness symptoms begin.
7. Hepatitis A is not spread by kissing, sneezing, or by saliva.
Diagnosis &
Treatment of Hepatitis “A”.
· Hepatitis A is diagnosed with a blood test called the Hepatitis A IgM test.
· Rest, a low fat
diet, and plenty of fluids are recommended. Avoid drugs and alcohol.
Prevention of Hepatitis “A”.
· Wash hands thoroughly with
soap and running, warm water after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food.
· Keep bathrooms clean
and supplied with soap and clean towels.
· Change diapers on surfaces that can be cleaned and sanitized after every use.
· Never
change diapers on eating or food preparation surfaces.
· Cook shellfish thoroughly before eating.
· Drink water from approved
sources only.
· Hepatitis A vaccine provides protection against hepatitis A for many years. The vaccination series consists of
2 doses that are given at least 6 months.
Who should get the Hepatitis “A” vaccine?
1. All Stanislaus County children 2-18 years
of age.
2. Gay and bisexual men.
3. Drug users (injection and non-injection).
4. International travelers where Hepatitis
A is common (includes all areas of the world except Canada, Western Europe & Scandinavia, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia).
5. Persons
with chronic liver disease, including chronic Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
6. Persons with clotting factor disorders, such as
hemophiliacs.
7. Anyone else who wants protection against Hepatitis A.
What is Immune Globulin (IG)?
· Immune Globulin (IG)
is a blood plasma product that can prevent hepatitis A if given within 14 days of exposure to an infected individual. IG is effective
80-90% of the time.
· IG is necessary if the exposed person has not been vaccinated against Hepatitis A and has never had a Hepatitis
A infection.
· IG provides protection against Hepatitis A for about 3 months, vaccine is needed for long-term protection.
· IGmay
be recommended for you if you:
· Live with someone who has Hepatitis A.
· Have eaten food or put objects in your mouth handled
by a person infected with Hepatitis A.
· Have had sexual or other intimate contact with a person who has Hepatitis A.
· Are
traveling to an area where Hepatitis A is common (see above list).
· Are a child attending, or an employee of a child care program
in which another child or employee has Hepatitis A.
Childcare & Food Establishments.
Please notify Public Health immediately at
(209) 558-5678 whenever a food-handler, childcare worker, or child attending a childcare develops Hepatitis A infection.
Resources
& Information for Hepatitis “A”.
HIV/STD Hotline: 209-572-2437
HIV/AIDS Program:HIVSTDInfo@SCAP4.org
CDC national STD/HIV hotline
numbers:
800-227-8922 or 800-342-2437
Spanish 800-344-7432
TTY 800-243-7889
Websites:
Viral Hepatitis Fact Sheets from the CDC
"Prevent hepatitis B: Get Vaccinated"
from the CDC (PDF)
Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC)
Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI)
Immunization Action Coalition: Questions about Hepatitis B
National Foundation
for Infectious Diseases
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases
Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases
(PKIDS)
