The Sumter County Health Department Warns Against the Spread of Hepatitis A

The Florida Department of Health in Sumter County is warning residents of the increased number of hepatitis A cases in the state of Florida.

There are more than 1,500 cases across the country, including an employee from an Arby County Pinellas who has recently tested positive. The people who ate at this restaurant were encouraged to get vaccinated. Pinellas County, with more than 300 cases, has the highest number of cases in Florida. Nearly 200 cases have been reported in the Orlando area.

Cases of hepatitis A have been reported in Sumter, Lake and Marion counties.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 140 people have died in the United States since the beginning of the hepatitis A epidemic in 2016.

Although anyone can get hepatitis A, some groups of people are at higher risk, such as: people in direct contact with a person with hepatitis A, men with sexual contact with men, drug addicts and the homeless. In addition, DOH-Sumter encourages vaccination of people with chronic or prolonged liver disease, including hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

Good hand hygiene also plays an important role in preventing the spread of hepatitis A. One should wash hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, changing diapers and before preparing or eating food.

Hepatitis A is a preventable disease by vaccination. Free vaccination against hepatitis A is available for people at high risk at DOH-Sumter. Call the Department of Health at (352) 569-3102 for more information.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious viral disease that attacks the liver. People infected with hepatitis A are the most contagious from two weeks before the onset of symptoms to one week after. Not all infected people have all the symptoms. Symptoms usually begin within 28 days of exposure to the virus, in a range of 15 to 50 days.

Symptoms may include:

· Jaundice (yellowed skin and white eyes)

· Fever

· Diarrhea

· Fatigue / fatigue

· Loss of appetite

· Nausea and vomiting

· Stomach pain

· Dark colored urine

· Stool in pale color or clay