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What is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months.

On 11/16/18, Clay County Health Department confirmed that an employee of the McDonald’s in Manchester had tested positive for Hep A.  The risk of exposure to the public appears low.  However, anyone who dined at McDonald’s on Muddy Gap Road in Manchester between October 30th and November 16th can seek further protection from becoming ill by getting a Hepatitis A vaccination. The Hepatitis A vaccine should be taken within two weeks of possible exposure, or no later than November 30th, 2018. Click here for the press release.

Who is at risk?

Although anyone can get Hepatitis A, some people are at greater risk, such as those who:

  • Travel to or live in countries where Hepatitis A is common
  • Have sexual contact with someone who has Hepatitis A
  • Are men who have sexual encounters with other men
  • Use recreational drugs, whether injected or not
  • Have clotting-factor disorders, such as hemophilia
  • Are household members or caregivers of a person infected with Hepatitis A
  • Approximately 75% of the cases in the Kentucky outbreak have risk factors of homelessness and/or illicit drug use

Hepatitis A can be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine.

How common is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A still occurs in the United States, although not as frequently as it once did. Over the last several decades, there has been more than a 90% decrease in Hepatitis A cases. New cases are now estimated to be around 3,000 each year. Many experts believe this decline is a result of the vaccination of children and people at risk for Hepatitis A. Many of the new cases, however, are from American travelers who got infected while traveling to parts of the world where Hepatitis A is common.

How is Hepatitis A spread?

Hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter—even in microscopic amounts—from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by feces or stool from an infected person. Hepatitis A can be spread when:

  • An infected person does not wash his/her hands properly after going to the bathroom and then touches objects or food.
  • A caregiver does not properly wash his or her hands after changing diapers or cleaning up the stool of an infected person.
  • Someone engages in sexual activities with an infected person.
  • Hepatitis A also can be spread through contaminated food or water. Contamination of food can happen at any point: growing, harvesting, processing, handling, and even after cooking. This most often occurs in countries where Hepatitis A is common.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A?

Not everyone has symptoms. If symptoms develop, they usually appear 2 to 6 weeks after infection and can include:Jaundiced eyes

  • Fever
  • Vomiting
  • Grey-colored stools
  • Fatigue
  • Abdominal pain
  • Joint pain Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Dark urine
  • Jaundice

Symptoms are more likely to occur in adults than in children. They usually last less than 2 months, although some people can be ill for as long as 6 months. People can spread Hepatitis A even if they don’t look or feel sick. Many children and some adults have no symptoms.

How is Hepatitis A diagnosed and treated?

A doctor can determine if a person has Hepatitis A by discussing his or her symptoms and taking a blood sample. To treat Hepatitis A, doctors usually recommend rest, adequate nutrition, fluids, and medical monitoring. Some people will need to be hospitalized. It can take a few months before people begin to feel better.

How serious is Hepatitis A?

Most people who get Hepatitis A feel sick for several months, but they usually recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage. Sometimes Hepatitis A can cause liver failure and death, although this is rare and occurs more commonly in people older than 50 and people with other liver diseases.

Can Hepatitis A be prevented?

Yes. The best way to prevent Hepatitis A is by getting vaccinated. Experts recommend the vaccine for all children, and people with certain risk factors and medical conditions. The vaccine is also recommended for travelers to certain international countries, even if travel occurs for short times or on closed resorts. The Hepatitis A vaccine is safe and effective and given as 2 shots, 6 months apart. Both shots are needed for long-term protection. Ask if your health plan will cover travel related vaccines. You can get vaccinated at your doctor’s office, as well as travel clinics and other locations. Lower cost vaccination may be available at certain pharmacies and your local health department.

Who should get vaccinated against Hepatitis A?

Vaccination is recommended for certain groups, including:

  • Anyone who has been in close person-to-person contact with a person who has Hepatitis A
  • All children at age 1 year
  • Travelers to countries where Hepatitis A is common
  • Family and caregivers of adoptees from countries where Hepatitis A is common
  • Men who have sexual encounters with other men
  • Users of recreational drugs, whether injected or not
  • People with chronic or long-term liver disease, including Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C
  • People with clotting-factor disorders

For more information Talk to your health professional, call your health department, or visit www.cdc.gov/hepatitis or www.cdc.gov/travel. This information was taken from https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/pdfs/hepageneralfactsheet.pdf

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Hepatitis A Outbreak

in Kentucky

The KY Department for Public Health is reporting over 2,500 cases of Hepatitis A statewide as of 11/03/18.  More info…

CVDHD Cases

Clay County     10 cases

Jackson County     5 cases

Rockcastle County     2 cases

On 11/16/18, Clay County Health Department confirmed that an employee of the McDonald’s in Manchester had tested positive for Hep A.  The risk for infection appears to be low.  However, anyone who ate at the McDonald’s on Muddy Gap Road between October 30th and November 16th can seek further protection from becoming ill by getting the Hepatitis A vaccine.          Click here for the press release. 

Individuals and restaurants can take steps to protect against Hep A.   For more information, see the general information at left, or click here to visit the CDC’s website.  

Restaurants and other Food Service Establishments can click here for guidance about identifying and preventing the spread of Hepatitis A.

CVDHD suggests that restaurants and other food service establishments encourage employees to take the Hepatitis A vaccine.  Most insurances cover the vaccine.   The Hepatitis A vaccine is available at doctor’s offices and at many pharmacies.  The Health Departments in Clay, Jackson, and Rockcastle County have  Hep A vaccine for adults who are uninsured or underinsured.  Call our local offices for more information.  

Clay Co Health Department   606-598-2425

Jackson Co Health Department 606-287-8421

Rockcastle Co Health Dept 606-256-2242

 

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