Nashville Highway recently may have been exposed to hepatitis A and are being asked to come to the Maury County Health Department for immunization shots. If taken within two weeks of exposure to hepatitis A, the medication may prevent infection or diminish the severity of the illness, health department officials said. Hepatitis A is spread by personal contact or by contaminated food or water handled by people who have not adequately washed their hands after using the toilet or changing diapers, the health department release said. Symptoms include appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and jaundice two to six weeks after exposure.
Mild illnesses can last from one to two weeks, but recovery can take several months in severe cases.
However, when hepatitis A occurs in a restaurant worker, special evaluation and efforts by the health department must be carried out to protect the public. Associated Press content is Copyrighted by The Associated Press.