Staying Healthy in Child Care - National Health and Medical ...

Hepatitis A
Description
Hepatitis A infection is caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus grows within the
liver, and passes into the intestines. The main way it is spread is through faeces, when
the faeces gets onto the hands of other people, and then moved from hands to mouth.
It can also be spread through contaminated water or food (when faeces gets into the
water supply or onto food).
Children under the age of 3 years rarely have symptoms 102 . Older children and adults
are more likely to have symptoms lasting one to two weeks, or in severe cases, up to
several months. Symptoms, when present, may include abdominal discomfort, loss of
appetite, nausea, low-grade fever and tiredness, sometimes followed by yellow skin
and eyes, dark urine and pale faeces.
Incubation period
15–50 days, usually 28-30 days.
Infectious period
A person is most infectious in the two weeks before yellowing (jaundice) occurs, and
then slightly infectious during the first week of having jaundice.
Exclusion period
Exclude until a medical certificate of recovery is received, but not before seven days
after the onset of jaundice or illness.
Responsibilities of child care providers/staff
Report the infection to the director.
The first sign of a hepatitis A outbreak is likely to be an ill parent or employee, not an
ill child. The director should immediately notify and seek help from the local public
health unit.
Responsibilities of parents
Observe exclusion period. Follow good personal hygiene practices, especially
effective hand washing.
Controlling the spread of infection
It is important for the infected person to consult their doctor. The doctor may offer
immunoglobulin to all people living in the same house as the infected person. If given
within 14 days after exposure, immunoglobulin may prevent hepatitis A or lessen the
severity of the symptoms 103 .
The staff from the local public health unit will advise on the need for immunoglobulin
for children and child care staff in the centre.
Make sure that good hand washing and cleaning procedures are being followed in the
centre and at home.
Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for child care workers, particularly those who
care for children who are not toilet trained.
128
Draft for Public Consultation