AEGiS-GMHC: IN BRIEF: Hepatitis Outbreak in New York

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

IN BRIEF: Hepatitis Outbreak in New York

Gay Men's Health Crisis Treatment Issues, Vol. 5, No. 7 - October, 1991

The New York City Department of Health has issued a warning to inform health care providers and others that an increase in cases of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) has been reported in gay and bisexual men in Manhattan. HAV is the least serious of all the hepatitis illnesses, with a low mortality rate of 0.06%. It is spread through intimate person-to-person contact (intrahousehold or sexual), and has all the symptoms of a flu. It is most infectious in the two-week period before the onset of jaundice (skin and urine turns a darkish yellow). The most effective way to prevent the spread of HAV is through careful handwashing with soap and water after using the toilet. Infected persons should also be advised not to handle food during the contagious period of the virus. Finally, household members and sexual partners of infected persons should be given a single intramuscular dose (0.02 ml/kg) of immune globulin (IG) as soon after exposure as possible. For more information consult a physician or call the Department of Health at (212) 566-1503.

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