A person at the Castle Park Head Start in Chula Vista, CA has been diagnosed with the Hepatitis A virus. Some staff and children who ate breakfast there between January 7 and January 14, 2013 are at risk of exposure to the virus.
Anyone who has had Hepatitis A or has been immunized with the vaccine is protected from the virus. Anyone who is not protected and is between the ages of 12 months and 40 years should get a Hepatitis A vaccine. Those who are under 12 months of age, over 40, are immune compromised, or have chronic liver disease should get the Hepatitis immune globulin.
The symptoms of the disease appear two to seven weeks after exposure. They include mild fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dark urine, light colored stools, pain in the upper right abdomen, and yellowness of the skin and eyes. Anyone who is exposed to the virus should get a vaccination within 2 weeks. County Public Health Centers will offer the vaccine to children.
