Ten Confirmed Cases Of Hepatitis A In Alamance County
1/10/2006
WFMY News 2
Alamance County health officials say 10 people are suffering from the virus. All suspected cases have now either been confirmed or cleared.
Alamance County, NC -- There are now 10 confirmed cases of Hepatitis A in Alamance County.
Health officials have finished testing all of the suspected cases and say two of those turned out not to be the virus.
The Alamance County health department still has not been able to identify a common source for the outbreak, which was first reported on December 30.
Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that is passed in the stool of infected persons and has symptoms similar to that of a stomach bug.
Alamance Regional Medical Center doctors say the only way to treat Hepatitis A is the same way you treat other stomach viral illnesses.
"You keep yourselves well hydrated, you make sure you're able to take in some nutrients, and if you can't that's when you want to get seen", says Dr. Michael Blocker.
"You want to get evaluated if you're having trouble with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea to such an extent that you can't keep stuff down."
According to the health department, the best way to prevent transmission of the virus is through proper hand washing.
