Hepatitis A Outbreak

The Tennessee Dept. of Health is working with Metro Nashville Public Health Department on an outbreak of Hepatitis A, a vaccine-preventable, communicable disease of the liver usually transmitted person-to-person through the fecal-oral route or consumption of contaminated food or water. 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 cleaning up the stool of an infected person. Hepatitis A can also be spread when someone engages in sexual activities with an infected person. Not everyone has symptoms. If symptoms develop, they usually appear 2 to 6 weeks after infection and can include: Fever, Vomiting, Grey-colored stools, Fatigue, Abdominal pain, Joint pain, Loss of appetite, Nausea, Dark urine, and Jaundice. Can Hepatitis A be prevented? Yes. The best way to prevent Hepatitis A is by getting vaccinated. It is recommended for travelers to certain international countries, even if travel occurs for short times or on closed resorts. The vaccine is safe, effective and given as 2 shots.

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