Parents warned about hepatitis A
22.sep.06
Cape Breton Post
Parents are getting letters from a Sydney, Nova Scotia, elementary school advising them how to prevent the transmission of hepatitis A after one of its students and a family member tested positive for the virus.
Dr. Shelly Sarwal, the medical officer of health, said there is no need for panic but people should practise diligent hand-washing to prevent its spread while health professionals search for more cases.
The virus passes in people's stool and can spread if they don't wash their hands properly.
Although the young girl and adult male with hepatitis A don't live in the same home, individuals at greatest risk are those who share the same household or have close personal contact with someone who is infected. Casual contact, like that at an office, usually doesn't spread the disease.
