Deadliest outbreak of hepatitis A in decades kills 14 in San Diego (house, school)

[Tool Shed]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...n-diego-deaths

Some 264 people have been hospitalized, roughly 70% of them homeless, in an outbreak that began last November

[NJ Brazen_3133]

Wait, so is the next few months not the best time to come?

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by NJ Brazen_3133

Wait, so is the next few months not the best time to come?

Unless you're a homeless person or a drug addict, or plan to hang out with or have sex with them, you don't really have to worry. They're the ones being affected, not tourists (or regular locals).

Use common sense, like washing your hands after you go to the bathroom and not sharing food with homeless people, and you'll be just fine.

Also, keep in mind that you can get Hep A anywhere. There have been outbreaks right in your backyard in NJ and NY too. This disease isn't exclusive to San Diego. Again, use common sense, but you can't live your life in fear.

And, you may have already been vaccinated against it; a lot of states require it as part of routine school vaccines.

[NJ Brazen_3133]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Unless you're a homeless person or a drug addict, or plan to hang out with or have sex with them, you don't really have to worry. They're the ones being affected, not tourists (or regular locals).

Use common sense, like washing your hands after you go to the bathroom and not sharing food with homeless people, and you'll be just fine.

Also, keep in mind that you can get Hep A anywhere. There have been outbreaks right in your backyard in NJ and NY too. This disease isn't exclusive to San Diego. Again, use common sense, but you can't live your life in fear.

And, you may have already been vaccinated against it; a lot of states require it as part of routine school vaccines.

Ok thank you.

[Spartanacus]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Unless you're a homeless person or a drug addict, or plan to hang out with or have sex with them, you don't really have to worry.

Damn...there goes my vacation plans.

Seriously though...this is the 2nd worst outbreak in the nation since the vaccine was created, and it will likely be the worst soon. And just to clarify Rosie's comment...it is spread fecally...meaning anyone can get it. For example, let's say an infected homeless guy walks into a fast food place, defecates, and leaves some residue behind on the stall or door handle and someone touches the same door and happens to put their dirty hands in their mouth for some reason before washing properly (kids, drunks, etc.)...boom they've got Hep A.

It can also be passed to non homeless or non drug addict people via food transmission. Let's say an infected homeless guy finally decides to get a job at a fast food place and doesn't wash his hands properly before handling the food you eat...again, you've got Hep A.

Now is the time to be extra vigilant with hand washing and to be extra careful about where you put your hands (and obviously always keep them out of your mouth), and where you get your food.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Why I won't do salad bars after seeing a vagrant walk into the exit and head to the salad bar. He went straight to the house dressing and shoveled it into his mouth with his hands. After a few seconds he bolted for the door. I told the manager but who knows if they just wiped it up or replaced the dressings.

[bloom]

Originally Posted by 1AngryTaxPayer

Why I won't do salad bars after seeing a vagrant walk into the exit and head to the salad bar. He went straight to the house dressing and shoveled it into his mouth with his hands. After a few seconds he bolted for the door. I told the manager but who knows if they just wiped it up or replaced the dressings.

Lordy

[bloom]

Originally Posted by 1AngryTaxPayer

Why I won't do salad bars after seeing a vagrant walk into the exit and head to the salad bar. He went straight to the house dressing and shoveled it into his mouth with his hands. After a few seconds he bolted for the door. I told the manager but who knows if they just wiped it up or replaced the dressings.

Lordy

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by bloom

Lordy

All you can eat!!!!!

[bloom]

Originally Posted by 1AngryTaxPayer

All you can eat!!!!!

Lordy