Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which is transmitted person-to-person by ingestion of contaminated food or water or through direct contact with an infectious person. Tens of millions of individuals worldwide are estimated to become infected with HAV each year.

The average incubation period for Hepatitis A (the time between infection and the appearance of the symptoms) is 28 days (but can extend as long as 50 days). For the most part, casual contact, as in sitting in church during mass, office or school setting, does not spread the virus.

There is a chance, however, that one may contract Hepatitis A via church communion. According to a recent story in the New York Times, someone who touched the communion wafers distributed at two packed services in Long Island, New York on Christmas Day was infected with Hepatitis A.

Because the virus can be spread by ingestion, and wafers were eaten during the services, the Nassau County Health Department on Monday urged all 1,300 people who attended those Masses at Our Lady of Lourdes Church to get vaccinated immediately. A copy of the notice from Nassau County can be found HERE.

The symptoms of Hepatitis A may range from mild to severe and include an abrupt onset of fever, fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, stomach pain, dark-colored urine and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).  The disease is rarely fatal and most people recover in a few weeks without any complications. Bed rest is usually the best course of treatment, and there are no special medicines or antibiotics that can be used to treat Hepatitis A.

Thorough hand washing after bathroom use and before, during and after food preparation is the most important means to prevent the spread of this and other intestinal illnesses.  Sharing of food and utensils should be discouraged especially whenever anyone is ill.

Individuals exposed to hepatitis A should receive immune globulin (IG) or a hepatitis A vaccination within 2 weeks of exposure to a person who is contagious with hepatitis A infection.  Individuals who have been vaccinated for hepatitis A or who have had the illness in the past are protected from hepatitis A infections, and there is no need for further action.

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The entire New York Times article can be seen HERE.