Publication date: 12/20/2023 at 5:11 PM
In the municipality of Breda, three children of primary school age have been diagnosed with Hepatitis A. In the event of a case of Hepatitis A, the GGD carries out standard source and contact research. The contacts of these people are contacted by the GGD West Brabant.
Wat is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is also called contagious jaundice. Hepatitis A is a disease that can be caused by a virus. The hepatitis A virus can cause inflammation of the liver. Young children often have few or no complaints at all. Adults usually feel sicker.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?
The symptoms of hepatitis A may include yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin (jaundice), dark brown urine and gray-white stools. Other complaints that may occur are nausea, fatigue, little appetite, fever, flu-like feeling and pain in the upper right abdomen.
The complaints usually last a few weeks. It can also take longer, up to 3 months. Small children often have no complaints.
What is the time between being infected and becoming ill?
The time between becoming infected and becoming ill is 2 to 7 weeks.
How can you get hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is very contagious. The virus is in the feces of someone who is infected. You can become infected:
- Via feces, contaminated toilet seat, flush button, tap, door handle and light switch of the toilet. This can cause the virus to get on the hands and then end up in the mouth.
- The virus can get onto dishes, cutlery, food or toys through the hands.
- By eating uncooked (raw) and contaminated vegetables or fruit, shrimps, crustaceans or shellfish, such as mussels.
When is someone contagious?
People with hepatitis A can infect others from 1 week before the symptoms start until 1 week afterwards. Even when there are no complaints, someone with the hepatitis A virus can still infect others.
Who can get hepatitis A?
Anyone who has not yet had the disease can become infected and become ill. Someone who has had hepatitis A will not get the disease again.
People with liver disease and the elderly can become sicker from hepatitis A.
What can you do to prevent hepatitis A?
Vaccinate
- You can get vaccinated against hepatitis A, for example, when you travel.
- Sometimes it is necessary to protect people who have a lot of contact with someone who has hepatitis A against hepatitis A. This can be done through a vaccination. If this is necessary, the GGD will provide advice on this.
Ensure good hand and toilet hygiene
- Wash hands with soap and dry them well:
- after going to the toilet.
- after changing a child or after helping the child to the toilet.
- before eating and for preparing food or bottle feeding.
- See also the video ‘Wash hands – Do it well and often‘.
- Ensure a clean toilet:
- Allow someone with hepatitis A to use their own toilet. Isn’t that possible? Then clean the toilet immediately after the sick person has gone to the toilet. Replace the towel every time.
- Change the towel in the toilet every day or use a paper towel to dry your hands.
- Clean the toilet at least once a day. This can be done with a cloth and plain soapy water, for example with all-purpose cleaner.
- Pay attention to the order of cleaning: from clean to less clean. Start with the door handle, faucet, flush knob. Then put the toilet seat and toilet bowl.
- Do not use the cloth to clean anything else afterwards. It’s even better to use wipes that you can throw away.
- Keep the nails short.
- Let someone who is sick use their own toothbrush, washcloth and towel.
Can hepatitis A be treated?
Hepatitis A heals on its own (without medication). Someone can feel tired for a very long time.
What should you do if you have complaints that are consistent with hepatitis A?
If you or others in your home develop symptoms that resemble hepatitis A, contact your doctor.
Can someone with hepatitis A go to school or work?
School children and adults are not allowed to go to school or work until 1 week after they start seeing yellow. Hepatitis A is already contagious before someone has symptoms themselves. Therefore, others may have already become infected.
I have received a letter from the GGD because there is a case of hepatitis A at my child’s school or out-of-school care, what is the risk for my child?
The children who used the same toilets as the child carrying the hepatitis A virus were at risk of infection. If you wash your hands properly after using the toilet, this risk is small. If your child develops complaints, contact your GP.
Children who did not use the same toilets did not receive a letter because they were not at risk.
Do you have any questions?
For further information and questions about hepatitis A, please contact the GGD West-Brabant infectious disease control department ☎ 088 639 2894 (available on working days from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
2023-12-20 16:11:52
#Hepatitis #infections #municipality #Breda
