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Description
of the Disease
Hepatitis A is caused by a specific virus, which results in an inflammation
of the liver. There is no
long-term chronic infection. Once you have hepatitis A, you cannot get it
again.
The last major outbreak
in Washington was in the late 1980s, peaking in 1989
with 70 cases per 100,000 people (3273 cases). In the past five
years, Washington’s rates have fallen from 18 to 3 cases per
100,000. This compares to rates of 5 to 10 per 100,000 nationally.
Hepatitis A has long-term cycles with periodic increases in cases.
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Related
Health Department Web Links
Related
Outside Websites
Washington
State Dept of Health Links
Center
for Disease Control Links
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What
services do Health Department professionals provide for Cowlitz County?
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Consultation for those infected, and
investigation of their contacts.
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Educational
information available regarding
symptoms and prevention.
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Insure
compliance of food service establishments with state food safety
regulations.
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Routine,
random inspections of all local restaurants.
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Investigation
and containment of food-borne illness outbreaks.
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Routine
sanitary surveys of public water systems.
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Transmission
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Hepatitis A is found
in the stool (feces) of infected persons.
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Hepatitis A is
usually spread from person to person by putting something in the
mouth (even though it may look clean) that has been contaminated
with the stool of a person with hepatitis A. For example,
changing
dirty diapers is one way hepatitis A can be transmitted, if good
hand washing is not performed.
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Hepatitis A can be
spread through food or water as a result of poor hand washing or
sanitation.
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Populations
at Risk
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Household
contacts of infected persons.
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Sexual
contact with infected persons.
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Persons
traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common (Check with
your doctor or local Health Department).
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Men
who have sex with other men.
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Injecting
and non-injecting drug users.
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Symptoms
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jaundice
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fatigue
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abdominal pain
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loss of appetite
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nausea
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diarrhea
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fever
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Prevention
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Hepatitis A vaccine is the best
protection.
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Short-term protection against
hepatitis A is available from immune globulin. It can be
given before and within two weeks after coming in contact with
hepatitis A virus.
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Always wash your hands with soap
and water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and
before preparing and eating food.
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Complications
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About
15% of people infected will have prolonged or
relapsing symptoms lasting over a 6-9 month period.
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Once you have
hepatitis A, you
cannot get it again.
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Diagnosis & Treatment
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A blood test is
used to diagnose
hepatitis A.
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There is no drug treatment.
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During the disease process, bed
rest and increasing fluids are the best forms of treatment.
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