---

April 01, 2008

CDHD Offers Information on Hepatitis A

It has now been two weeks since the Red Feather Lounge employee with hepatitis A last worked at the establishment. Anyone potentially exposed to the disease between March 5th and 17th will no longer be eligible for a vaccination because it would not be effective. From March 25th through March 31st Central District Health Department (CDHD) provided hepatitis A vaccinations to 283 people. Everyone potentially exposed should continue to wash their hands thoroughly, since receiving hepatitis A vaccine after a potential exposure is not 100% effective prevention. CDHD reminds those that have not been vaccinated or have not been previously infected to watch for signs of hepatitis A infection. CDHD still maintains that the chance of infection is low, but patrons should be aware of the following information.

Symptoms usually occur abruptly and may include:

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal discomfort
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin & eyes)
• Nausea
• Dark urine
• Tiredness

Disease Incubation time – Time between being infected and getting sick

• Minimum - 2 weeks
• Maximum - 7 weeks
• Average - 4 weeks

If you are showing signs of infection contact your medical provider immediately.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for the disease but symptoms may be treated and re-hydration may become necessary. The symptoms of the disease may vary from a mild illness lasting 1 -2 weeks, to a severely disabling disease lasting several months. In general, severity increases with age, but chronic infection does not occur with hepatitis A as it can with hepatitis B or C.

Hepatitis A is rare in Idaho

The incidence of hepatitis A is fairly low in Idaho. The chart below details the number of cases over the past four years.

Year	Idaho totals	Health Dist #3	Health Dist #4
2005	20	7	4
2006	10	2	2
2007	9	2	3
2008 (to date)	8	3	3

Hepatitis A is contagious

• Hepatitis A viruses are in the intestines of a person who is infected. The viruses leave the body in a person's feces. If the infected person doesn't wash his/her hands after a bowel movement, her/his hands may be contaminated with viruses.
• When that person handles food, the food is contaminated with hepatitis A viruses. Whoever eats the food can then become infected.
• Hepatitis A can be spread by unprotected oral/anal sexual contact.
• It is easily spread when a person doesn't wash his/her hands after changing an infected child's dirty diapers.

Who is susceptible?

Anybody, any age, can get hepatitis A. After being infected a person is almost always protected for life.

How long after being infected does a person first become sick?

Fifteen to 50 days; usually 28 to 30 days.

When can someone with hepatitis A spread it to others?

One to two weeks before the first symptoms appear through one week after jaundice appears (or two weeks after first symptoms occurred).

How can the spread of hepatitis A be prevented?

• Thoroughly wash hands. Use soap and warm water after using the toilet or diapering children.
• Always wash hands. Before preparing, serving or handling food. If you have hepatitis A do not prepare, serve or share food with others until one week after jaundice began (or two weeks after symptoms first began).
• Use a barrier during oral/anal sexual contact.
• Work restrictions. Food handlers, childcare workers, health care workers and residential care workers who provide personal care should not work until they are no longer contagious. Food handlers, childcare workers and health care workers who live in a household in which there is a case of hepatitis A should not work unless exempted by the health department.
• Childcare restrictions. Children with hepatitis A should not attend childcare until they are no longer contagious.
• Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended. Idaho children 12 months of age and older should be immunized against hepatitis A. The hepatitis A vaccine is given before exposure and within two weeks of being exposed.

What should someone do if they've been in close contact with a person with hepatitis A?

• Household members, sex partners and contacts in childcare settings should receive hepatitis A vaccination or Immune Globulin (IG) as soon as possible, but no longer than 14 days after their most recent exposure. This includes all children 12 months of age and older. Only someone who has eaten ready-to-eat food handled by someone with hepatitis A is at risk of being infected.
• Practice good hand washing!

What is the treatment for hepatitis A?

There is no specific treatment. Treatment of symptoms and re-hydration (fluid replacement) may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please contact your medical provider. Information is also available on the CDHD website.