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LFCHD Recommends Fayette Countians Get Hep A Vaccine

Posted at 3:09 PM, Sep 11, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-11 17:38:54-04

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) – The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department is recommending that everyone in the county get a hepatitis A vaccination.

Lexington has 12 cases related to the statewide outbreak, which is up to more than 1,620 across Kentucky with 86 counties affected.

Initially, the department warned “at-risk” individuals to get vaccinated. They have since expanded that recommendation upon the disease spreading.

Hepatitis A is usually spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A. This type of transmission is called the “fecal-oral” route.

Signs and symptoms of hepatitis A include :

  • flu-like symptoms (fever, fatigue, body aches)
  • abdominal pain (especially in the right upper quadrant)
  • light-colored stool
  • dark urine
  • loss of appetite
  • unexplained weight loss
  • jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)