Category: International EM
Keywords: hepatitis A, international, food-borne illness (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/19/2013 by Andrea Tenner, MD
(Updated: 6/26/2013)
Click here to contact Andrea Tenner, MD
General Information:
Hepatitis A is a food-borne illness that is prevalent in developing countries. Currently in the US we are experiencing an outbreak in 8 states related to a frozen blend of organic berries. (Linked to Townson Farms brand sold at Costco and Harris Teeter)
Clinical Presentation:
- Case definition: sudden onset of S/S + jaundice or elevated liver enzyme levels
- S/S: nausea, anorexia, fever, malaise, abdominal pain
Diagnosis:
- Hepatitis A IgM
Treatment:
- Exposed patients should be given the Hep A vaccine within 2 weeks of exposure
- Exposed patients >40 yrs old, <1 yr old, immunocompromised, or with chronic liver disease: give immunoglobulin instead (risk of more severe disease)
- Supportive care
Bottom Line:
Patients potentially exposed to Hepatitis A in the past 2 weeks should be given either the vaccination or immunoglobulin, depending on comorbid conditions. Treatment of active infection is supportive.
University of Maryland Section of Global Emergency Health
Author: Andi Tenner, MD, MPH
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HAV/HAVfaq.htm#general
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/Outbreaks/2013/A1b-03-31/index.html