A food worker at the Huddle House restaurant in Poplar Bluff, Missouri has been diagnosed with hepatitis A. This is the second case of hepatitis A that has been diagnosed in food workers in that restaurant chain in Missouri. Another worker at the Huddle House in Dexter, Missouri had hepatitis A and was contagious while working between November 21 and December 2, 2017. Officials have not established a link between these two cases.
The worker handled food at the Dexter restaurant between January 3 and January 17, 2018. That means that anyone who ate there in that time period may have been exposed to the pathogenic virus. 
The immune globulin and hepatitis A vaccinations are only effective if given within two weeks after possible exposure. That means that anyone who ate there before January 14, 2018 cannot get a shot; they must monitor themselves for the symptoms of hepatitis A.
Symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. Symptoms can also include jaundice, which is yellowing of the eyes and skin, dark urine, and clay-colored stools. People usually develop these symptoms within two weeks to 50 days after exposure. Most people do recover within a few weeks or months, but some, especially those with liver disease, can become seriously ill and need to be hospitalized.
This illness is preventable through vaccination. Officials encourage those who work with the public, especially those in the food industry, schools, or healthcare industry, to be vaccinated. People with the virus do not show symptoms until they have had the virus for two weeks, so they can infect others before they even know they are sick.
Proper hand washing can also help prevent the spread of this disease. Always wash your hands well with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or caring for someone who is sick. Also always wash your hands well before you prepare food or beverages or serve food to others.
