HJLR Nov/Dec 2018

Healthcare Journal of LITTLE ROCK I  NOV / DEC 2018 47 Nathaniel Smith, MD, MPH Director and State Health Officer, Arkansas Department of Health “The Advisory Committee on Immuni- zation Practices (ACIP) recommends hep A vaccination for people who have any of the risk factors.” one dose protects 94% of people. The Advi- sory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends hep A vaccination for people who have any of the risk factors. An unvaccinated person who is exposed to the virus can still prevent the illness if they re- ceive the vaccine or a medicine called im- mune globulin within two weeks of expo- sure. People should also wash their hands thoroughly and often, especially after using the restroom and before eating. Hep A is a hardy virus, so you must use hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol content or wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water in order to prevent transmission. Part of the ADH’s response to this out- break has been to encourage anyone age 19 to 60 in Greene County to get the vaccine. Many children are already vaccinated for hep A since it has been recommended for nearly two decades and required to attend school since 2014. Many adults over age 60 have developed immunity through previ- ous exposure to the virus. The ADH hosted a series of mass vaccination clinics in Clay County, where the first cases were report- ed, and in Greene and Craighead counties. The ADH continues to encourage vaccina- tion among high priority groups, including anyone who has had contact with someone who has hep A, food workers, people who use drugs—whether injected or not, people who are homeless or with transient or un- stable housing, and people who have been recently jailed. Almost all people who get hep A recover completely and do not have any lasting liv- er damage, although they may feel sick for many months. Adults are more likely to have severe illness and be hospitalized. Death due to hepA is rare, but is more likely in people with other liver diseases like hep B or C. For more information about hep A and updated information about the outbreak in Arkansas, please visit www.healthy.arkan- sas.gov. n