| Hepatitis A and Drinking Water from Private Wells
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What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a liver disease
caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which can affect anyone.� In the
United States, hepatitis A infections can occur in isolated situations or
in widespread epidemics.
How
can I become infected with hepatitis A virus?
Hepatitis A virus is found in the stool of persons with hepatitis A.� HAV
is usually spread from person to person.� It occurs by putting something
in your mouth that had been contaminated with the stool of a person with
hepatitis A.� For this reason, the virus is more easily spread in areas
where there are poor sanitary conditions or where personal hygiene is poor.�
Persons with hepatitis A can spread the virus to others who live in the
same household.� It can also be spread to those with whom they have sexual
contact.� Casual contact, as those in the office, factory, or school setting,
does not spread the virus.
Where and how does hepatitis A virus get into drinking water?
Hepatitis A is found in every part of the United States and throughout
the world. When water sources such as private wells are contaminated
with feces from infected humans, the water will spread the hepatitis
A virus. The virus can enter the water through various ways, including
sewage overflows or broken sewage systems.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?
The most common symptoms
of hepatitis A include:
- Jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes
- Dark urine
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Stomach pain
Three out of four adults
who are infected by HAV will develop symptoms, usually over a period of
several days.� The symptoms generally appear 2 to 6 weeks after infection
with the virus.� Children who are infected often have no symptoms.�
What should I do if I
think I have hepatitis A?
See your health care provider
to discuss your concerns.
How is hepatitis A diagnosed?
A blood test can tell if
hepatitis A is the cause of your illness.� The test will look for antibodies
to the virus.
What is the treatment for hepatitis A?
Consult with your health care provider. The usual treatment
is bed rest, a balanced diet, and avoiding alcohol for at least 6 months.�
Antibiotics are not useful in treating such viral infections.� In more serious
cases, hospitalization may be necessary.� Recovery from hepatitis A usually
takes 4 to 8 weeks with no long-term liver damage.
What should I do if I
think I have been exposed to hepatitis A?
Contact your doctor or your local health department if you
think that you have been exposed to hepatitis A or any type of viral hepatitis.�
Immune globulins, a preparation of antibodies, can prevent the disease if
you receive it within 2 weeks of exposure.� Vaccines for hepatitis A are
available to provide long-term protection.
How
do I remove hepatitis A from my drinking water?
Heating water at a full boil for 1 minute (3 minutes if you
live in a high altitude) will kill or inactivate the hepatitis A virus.�
Water should then be stored in a clean container with a lid and refrigerated.
Because
of the small size of the virus, using a point-of-use filter will not
remove it from water.�
You may also disinfect your
well; adequate chlorination kills the hepatitis A virus.� Contact your local
health department for recommended procedures. Have your well water
tested periodically after disinfection to make sure that the problem does
not recur.
Revised Summer 2003
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