Aug. 17--SILER CITY -- The Chatham County Public Health Department urges people who ate at the Burger King at 1712 E. 11th St. (U.S. 64) in Siler City on Aug. 2 or Aug. 3 from 6 p.m. to closing to be immunized for hepatitis A by today.
Patrons who were exposed may obtain free immunizations through the Chatham County Public Health Department, 1000 S. 10th Ave. in Siler City at a walk-in clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. today.
An alternative location is the Pittsboro Health Clinic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Vaccinations are also available from physicians.
Both immune globulin (also called gamma globulin) and hepatitis A vaccine can prevent hepatitis A virus infections if given within 14 days of exposure. That is why immunizations must be given by today. People currently on hepatitis A vaccine are considered protected from this virus. For information, call the Health Department at 919-742-5641 in Siler City or 919-542-8220 in Pittsboro.
The early signs and symptoms of hepatitis A appear two to six weeks after exposure and commonly include mild fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, dark urine, light color stools and jaundice (yellowness of eyes or skin). Even mildly ill persons can still be highly infectious.
Hepatitis A virus is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter -- even in microscopic amounts -- from contact with objects, food or drinks contaminated by feces or stool of an infected person.
Persons are at increased risk of hepatitis A when they have been in close and continuous contact with an infected individual, particularly in a household or day care setting.
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