The San Diego County News Center is reporting that an employee at the McDonald’s restaurant inside the Walmart store at 3412 College Avenue in San Diego has tested positive for Hepatitis A. Anyone who ate there on August 25, 26, 27, and 30, 2012 between 10:00 am and 11:00 pm may have been exposed to the virus.
Dr. Wilma Wooten, County Public Health office, said, “we encourage anyone who has not had the Hepatitis A vaccine and those who may have been exposed to contact their healthcare provider.” Walmart shoppers who did not eat at the restaurant are not at risk for exposure to the virus. Anyone who has been immunized with the Hepatitis A vaccine or has had the disease is protected from the virus.
The early signs of the disease appear two to seven weeks after exposure. They include mild fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dark urine, light color stools, pain in the upper right abdomen, and yellowness of the skin and eyes.
Anyone who may have been exposed should get the vaccination within two weeks of exposure. The Hepatitis A vaccine is the preventative treatment for healthy people who are 12 months to 40 years old. Immune globulin is used for people 41 to 59 years old, anyone over the age of 60, is less than 12 months old, and anyone with chronic liver disease.
If you think you were exposed to the virus and don’t have medical insurance, you can go to the HHSA Central Region Public Health Center at 5202 University Avenue in San Diego to get a vaccination for minimal or no cost. For more information, call the HHSA Epidemiology Program at 619-692-8499.
