Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 12, 1990 TAG: 9005120105
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES HITE MEDICAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Dr. Molly Hagan, director of the Alleghany Health District, also has warned area physicians and emergency rooms to be on the alert for patients showing symptoms of Hepatitis A.
Since March there have been 12 cases of viral hepatitis in the two counties, primarily in people living near the Eagle Rock and Glen Wilton areas of Botetourt or nearby areas in Alleghany County, Hagan said.
In the previous five years, there has only been one hepatitis case in Botetourt and none in Alleghany.
None of the cases is tied to a restaurant or other public facility, Hagan said. The cases appear to have been spread primarily through contacts in an extended family, she said.
Hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, initially causes a rapidly fluctuating fever, nausea and vomiting.
An infected person has a loss of appetite and smokers find that cigarettes taste foul. After a week these symptoms disappear but the patient becomes jaundiced. The skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow and the urine is dark.
Nearly 100 people have received vaccines that give short-term protection against exposure to someone infected with hepatitis, Hagan said.
People who believe they may have been exposed to the disease can get the vaccine from the health department or a private physician.
Hepatitis A is caused by a virus found in feces. The disease usually is contracted by eating food or drinking water contaminated by an infected person who has not washed his or her hands.
Infected people can spread the disease for a one- to two-week period before symptoms occur.
Hagan said several steps can stop the spread of the disease:
Thoroughly and frequently wash hands, especially after using the toilet and before preparing any food.
Clean and cut fingernails.
Seek medical help immediately after symptoms appear or after coming into contact with a person known to have the disease.
Throughly clean away and dispose of fecal material, including diapers.
Hepatitis A usually resolves itself with no lasting complications.
At least two other viruses also cause the disease. Those viruses can be transmitted through contaminated needles or blood transfusion.
by CNB