Hep A Health Scare

[Willy50]

(IF a person whom already has Hep C contracts hepatitis A, it can be even more of a health threat.  Both Hep A & B have vacinations which can reduce or eliminate the chances of infection.  Currently, not vaccine is available for Hep C...... although there is currently one being tested in FDA trials. --Willy)

http://movies.aol.com/news/story/_a/kutchers-birthday-sparks-hepatitis-scare/20080221200109990001

Kutcher's Birthday Sparks Hepatitis Scare
By Michelle Nichols,
Reuters
Posted: 2008-02-22 08:34:52
Filed Under: Movie News

NEW YORK (Feb. 21) - Celebrities Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Madonna are among hundreds of patrons of a New York bar being urged by New York health officials Thursday to get a Hepatitis A vaccination after a bartender was found to be infected.

The city health department issued a statement, warning anyone who visited Socialista in Manhattan's West Village on Feb. 7, 8 or 11 to get a vaccination.

Local media reports said Moore hosted a 30th birthday bash for her husband Kutcher at the venue on Feb. 7 after a star-studded dinner at Gemma restaurant.

Entertainment photo agency WireImage showed guests at the Socialista event, including Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ivanka Trump, Liv Tyler, Catherine Keener, Lucy Liu and Salma Hayek.

Other celebrities reported at Socialista were Javier Bardem, nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar, Eric Dane, Rebecca Gayheart and fashion designer Roberto Cavalli.

Socialista was not immediately available for comment, nor were representatives of Moore, Kutcher or Madonna.

"Any patron who visited the establishment after 8 p.m. on February 7th or 8th, or after 10 p.m. on February 11th (the times the infected person worked after becoming infectious), is considered to be at risk and needs a preventive shot," the health department said.

It said the bar owners were cooperating fully and estimated between 700 and 800 people had visited the bar on those nights, but added that no cases of illness had yet been identified.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus and is spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with traces of fecal matter from an infected person, the department said.

Symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea.

[Bill1954]

Willy,

Thanks for posting this. My Hepatologist told me that HAV/HCV co infection can lead to fulminent liver failure, and this incident underscores the need for the Twinrix vaccine for the HCV population.

Take care,

Bill

[Trish77]

Here in Canada, as soon as I was diagnosed with HCV, I got an innoculation for Hep A.  I would have been given one for Hep B, but I'm already immune.  Usually both of those are at a cost of around $350 here but they are given free to persons with HCV and Public Health here sees to that.

Wassup, I would think you're in the same boat with your HAV that I am with my HBV.  I had it, cleared it and I'm not at risk from it with regards to my HCV.  As to whether you are immune, is beyond my understanding of it and I'd suggest you check out getting immunized for both before you start your tx.

Trish

[Willy50]

Read this;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatitis_A

I'm not that knowlegable on Hep A but I believe most people contract it.....suffer thru an acute stage and then clear it.  Having antibodies does not mean that you still suffer from it or are infectious.

The issue would be if one had serious liver damage from HCV and THEN contracted Hep A.  Since your liver would already be compromised the additional stress from the Hep A acute infection period could be life threatening.  This is the reason that for those of us who have HCV we should look into getting innoculations for hep A & B.

best,
Willy

[Wassup]

That is very interesting. I had HAV @ 21ys., spent time in hosp. quarantined, everyone wore gowns, masks, rubber gloves, and surgery bonnets, who came to visit me. I felt so badly for all the friends who came in contact with me cause they complained when the gammaglobulin shot in their bums felt like they were 'being injected with a roll of nickles'. Ow!! Then they came in my room with a syringe, saying that this medication would help me to get over my Hep A more quickly. I asked," what is it?" "It's called gammaglobulin", she smiled. OOOWWWWWW!! My question; since the V is always in my system, (in remission or not), should I now be concerned since I  now have HCV, having had HAV?  inquisitively, Ant B