And they are of concern to me, as well. A nearby community employs hundreds of Mexicans in the turkey plant. Every year, after Christmas, there is an outbreak of Hepatitis A in the school system there. Hepatitis A viruses are shed in the feces of persons with the infection, and transmitted by poor handwashing and food handling practices. It is VERY common in Mexico. It is brought back to the U.S. by the immigrant kids and spreads to the rest of the school. The adults don't bring it back because most of them already had it as children and are immune.
One of the complications that may occur with Hepatitis A is liver damage. Also, the symptoms can linger on for months, especially in older children and adults. When parents complain to the school nurse and administration about this, they are told that Hepatitis A is just a mild viral illness, and no different than their kid catching a cold or the flu at school. Political Correctness again ....
Your posting literally gives me the chills!
I probably need an update on Hep A. again.
Not to sound any alarms, but I wonder if any people have ever bothered to look around to see who's doing the cooking in restaurants? I know I have, and I prefer to cook at home.
"There are no specific medicines to cure infection with hepatitis A. Most people require no treatment except to relieve symptoms.
"If you have been exposed to someone who is infected with HAV, there is a treatment that may prevent you from becoming infected. It is called immune globulin and is more likely to be effective when given within 2 weeks of exposure."