The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department has seen an increase of hepatitis A cases within the past three months. Lucas County has seven confirmed cases of hepatitis A since August of 2017. While this increase in cases is unusual for this length of time, the overall number of hepatitis A cases for the county continues to slowly climb. Several of these cases are linked to the Michigan outbreak.

Individuals with hepatitis A are infectious for 2 weeks prior to symptom onset. Symptoms of hepatitis A include jaundice (yellowing of the skin), fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, and light-colored stools. Symptoms usually appear over a number of days and last less than 2 months; however, some people can be ill for as long as 6 months. Hepatitis A can sometimes cause liver failure and death.

If you have been exposed to someone with hepatitis A, please contact your primary care physician or a medical professional.

Risk factors for a hepatitis A infection include living with someone who has hepatitis A, having sexual contact with someone who has hepatitis A, or sharing injection or non-injection illegal drugs with someone who has hepatitis A. The hepatitis A virus can also be transmitted through contaminated food or water.

For additional information on hepatitis A, please call 419.213.4216.

Resources

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/patienteduhav.htm#cdc