HEPATITIS A

Hepatitis A

EXCLUSION:� Exclude case for one week after the onset of illness and exclude exposed children and staff in program until immune globulin has been administered (within two weeks of exposure) as directed by the health department.

Vaccine; good hygiene

An infection of the liver caused by a virus found in the intestines, and spread through the stool; not neccessarily diarrhea

Virus spreads from person to person when hands contaminated with micro-scopic particles of stool touch food or eating utensils

Mild flu-like syptoms develop 2 to 8 weeks after exposure

Contagious for 2 weeks before symptoms develop

Illness more serious in adults than in children

Illness should be reported to your local Department of Public Health by health care provider

No specific treatment

WHAT YOU CAN DO AS A CAREGIVER:

See diarrhea

Contact your health care provider if you are exposed to the Hepatitis A virus

WHAT YOU CAN DO AS A PARENT:

Follow Caregiver recommendations

Contact child's health care provider if exposed to the Hepatitis A virus

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