Viral Hepatitis
Jan 17, 2002 11:01 AM
HEPATITIS A IN SCHOOLS
Q: HOW IS HEPATITIS A TRANSMITTED?
A: Hepatitis A is transmitted when the virus in an infected person's feces (stool/bowel movement) is transferred to another person's mouth.
This may occur if food or eating utensils are handled by an infected person whose hands are not clean. Consuming water contaminated by sewage or eating raw or undercooked shellfish from sewage-polluted waters also can spread the infection.
Hepatitis A also spreads easily among small children and the adults who assist them with diapering and toilet usage.
Q: HOW CAN SCHOOL EMPLOYEES WHO ASSIST CHILDREN WITH TOILETING PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST HEPATITIS A?
A: If your work includes diapering children or helping them with toilet use, you should wear disposable gloves which the school must provide. It is important to put on a new pair of gloves for each child you assist and to wash your hands thoroughly each time you remove your gloves. It also is essential to wash your hands thoroughly before handling food or eating.
Staff who provide toileting assistance to special needs children may want to talk with a physician about whether to take the new hepatitis A vaccine.
Q: ARE THERE ANY OTHER WAYS SCHOOL EMPLOYEES COULD CONTRACT HEPATITIS A AT WORK?
A: The entire school community is at risk if any member of the cafeteria staff has hepatitis A. Because the infection is generally most contagious before any symptoms appear, it is essential that employees whose jobs involve preparing or serving food wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilet.
If a food preparation employee is diagnosed with hepatitis A, the New York City Department of Health requires that he/she be removed from such work until he/she is no longer contagious.
Q: CAN ANYTHING BE DONE TO PROTECT A PERSON EXPOSED TO HEPATITIS A FROM DEVELOPING THE INFECTION?
A: Yes. A shot of immune globulin (IG) can provide temporary protection. (IG is different than the HBIG--hepatitis B immunoglobulin--shot given to people exposed to the hepatitis B virus.) It should be administered as soon as possible after exposure.
Q: IF THERE'S A CASE OF HEPATITIS A IN MY SCHOOL, SHOULD WE GET IG SHOTS?
A: That depends. If one or more children in diapers is diagnosed with hepatitis A in a day care center or special education setting, the New York City Department of Health recommends IG shots for all classmates and all employees working with the children.
If there is a case of hepatitis A in a regular classroom, however, IG injections are not routinely recommended unless there is evidence of a school-centered or class-centered outbreak. Preventive treatment generally is not necessary because the oral/fecal contact required for transmission is not likely to occur in a regular classroom setting.
If a food handler in the school cafeteria developed hepatitis A, the Department of Health would recommend IG shots for everyone in the school.
