Gotten
a bit ill after eating a bad meal? Sure, we all have and most
dont worry about it. However, lately we have to worry more
and more about outbreaks of hepatitis. I trained in the Southwest,
and it would be often we would see a rash of patients who have
or have been contracting Hepatitis A. Close to 200,000 people
a year contract Hepatitis A and it appears the numbers get higher
each year.
Hepatitis
A is a type of hepatitis (liver infection) that is usually
gotten from (attention: grossness alert) eating food or water
that was contaminated by feces from a person who has had Hepatitis
A. Patients usually experience intense nausea and vomiting,
fevers and chills, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, yellowing
of skin, and complain of dark urine.
The
good thing is that it is the most "benign" of the hepatitises,
in that it generally is self-limiting and does not lead to liver
cancer . But it is contagious, and there are certain areas in
the country (like here in Arizona) where there are mini-epidemics
of this disease. It also appears according to the CDC, that
a large epidemic usually occurs every ten year (the last one
was 1989, so were due!). Most people do recover from the disease
within a few months, but millions of dollars are lost each year
by workers staying home after contracting the liver illness.
The good news is there is a vaccine available since 1998.
I have recommended that all people (over two years of age) in
areas at risk for Hepatitis A be vaccinated. A booster can be
given after six months, which can provide up to ten years of
immunity. Check with your local health official if you are in
an area at risk for Hepatitis A.
If
you are traveling to an endemic area (such as Mexico) you should
also think about having the vaccine. If you know someone who
has Hepatitis A, especially if they live in your household,
you should get the vaccine. Other risk groups are day care workers,
IV drug users and people living on American Indian reservations.
If you think you have Hepatitis A, by all means see your doctor.
A blood test can confirm the presence of active Hepatitis
A. Treatment is generally rest and avoidance of household
contacts. Immune globulin are antibodies that can be given to
provide short-term protection to those people who were exposed
within two weeks.
The CDC estimates that up to one-third of the population has
been exposed to Hepatitis A. It is a preventable disease. However,
we need the right people to be immunized to prevent future epidemics
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