Show Hepatitis H A on OH the R Rise is e I g By Hope Rowe J Community Editor i Hepatitis A rates in Utah are Z almost twice as high as the national average average Utah is one of eleven leven risk high states for hepatitis A based on a ten en year study by the National Diseases Surveillance System Hepatitis A is predominantly ti 7 1 r found In in all of the western states and continues to be one of the E most commonly reported vacE vac vac- preventable cine-preventable diseases V. V Each year in the United States t an estimated people die from acute liver failure caused by hepatitis hep hep- l 11 1 to 22 percent of patients V will be r hospitalized and each adult diagnosed will lose an V of 27 The average working days incubation time for Hepatitis A is i 50 15 days and is diagnosed by a f V blood test t V Hepatitis A does not always a V V exhibit symptoms It depends r greatly on the age of the individual individual ual infected 70 percent of children children children chil chil- 1 dren under 6 will not experience riy This is symptoms one reason why the disease spreads easily T ta r. r f V PAGE E 2 1 E 3 J. J among young oung children When symptoms are present they usually usually usually usual usual- ly last less than two months but sometimes people remain ill for six months The symptoms include fever nausea abdominal pain dark urine fatigue loss of appetite diarrhea and jaundice yellowing of the skin and eyes Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation can help prevent prevent prevent pre pre- vent Hepatitis A. A The infection is commonly spread from person- person to-person to by eating or drinking contaminated food or water An immune globulin a sterile solution of naturally produced antibodies taken from donated human blood is available for short term protection and for children under 2 However for continuing protection the vaccine vaccine vaccine vac vac- cine is the best solution There are no live viruses in the vaccine and protection starts about four weeks after the initial injection A second injection is required six months after the first injection A Hepatitis A vaccination is isnow isnow isnow now required in Utah for enrollment enrollment enrollment enroll enroll- ment into kindergarten due to the most recent recommendations of the Advisory Committee r rw A- A Ax x V on Immunization Practices and the Utah Scientific Vaccine Advisory Committee The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Latter day Saints requires all of its missi missionaries missionaries mis mis- si whether they are stateside stateside state state- stateside side or abroad to be vaccinated Those planning to serve a mission mission mission mis mis- sion or those who have children ready to start kindergarten should prepare in advance The vaccine is also recommended recommended recommended mended for the following individuals individuals individuals indi indi- over the age of two people people people peo peo- who plan to travel to destinations destinations destinations destina destina- with increased rates of Hepatitis A men who engage in sexual activities with other men injecting and non-injecting non drug users persons with fac clotting tor disorders such as hemophilia ia persons with chronic liver disease persons with occupational occupational occupational risk and children in high rate regions Although Hepatitis A infection levels are extremely low and immunization levels are higher than in the past a risk of an outbreak outbreak outbreak out out- break still exists For more information information information mation about bout immunizations call the Utah Immunization Hotline at 1 C |