Hepatitis A and swimming pools

[mama_kass]

I'm looking for information on this. I am concerned that my non vax family is at risk. Also, what about exposure from food preparation?

[amnesiac]

Here are a few links you might like to check out-

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pin...loads/hepa.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/h...is/a/index.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/

[alegna]

My summary....

Hep A is a mild disease, especially in children. Most children don't even show clinical signs.

A well maintained pool should kill ALL viruses and bacteria.

-Angela

[attachedmamaof3]

If the water is chlorinated, the chlorine "kills/deactivates" the Hep A Virus.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20060615/2162.html

The virus is resistant to freezing, detergents, and acids, but it is inactivated by formalin and chlorine

[mama_kass]

This is very good information. Thanks mamas. I have what I need.

[mangosink0]

Originally Posted by attachedmamaof3

If the water is chlorinated, the chlorine "kills/deactivates" the Hep A Virus.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20060615/2162.html

How about hep B? Is it killed by chlorine?

[PassionateWriter]

wow..i guess this is another reason to be thankful we own a pool and dont use public pools.

[amnesiac]

Chlorine disinfection times:
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/c..._timetable.htm

Blood in Pool Water
Germs (e.g., Hepatitis B virus or HIV) found in blood are spread when infected blood or certain body fluids get into the body and bloodstream (e.g., by sharing needles and by sexual contact). CDC is not aware of any of these germs being transmitted to swimmers from a blood spill in a pool.

Q: Does chlorine kill the germs in blood?

A: Yes. These germs do not survive long when diluted into properly chlorinated pool water.

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/bloodandvomit.htm

What should be used to remove HBV from environmental surfaces?

Any blood spills — including dried blood, which can still be infectious — should be cleaned using 1:10 dilution of one part household bleach to 10 parts of water for disinfecting the area.

http://www.cdc.gov/NCIDOD/DISEASES/HEPATITIS/b/faqb.htm

[Parker'smommy]

Originally Posted by alegna

My summary....

Hep A is a mild disease, especially in children. Most children don't even show clinical signs.

A well maintained pool should kill ALL viruses and bacteria.

-Angela

I just wanted to respectively disagree with this statement. I have experienced Hep A...and it was NO mild disease. I was majorly plagued with it for OVER a month, and sick for at least 2 months. My doctor said that it was par for the course for the disease and I didn't have an abnormally awful bout of it. I was a healthy 24 year old when I contracted it. I got it from tainted food at a public restaurant. Yah, gross.

I do agree that a well maintained pool should not cause alarm for Hep A. And although it is an awful disease to contract, my children haven't received the vaccine against this disease. It's another - the risk of the vaccine outweighs the risk of the disease for me.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by Parker'smommy

I just wanted to respectively disagree with this statement. I have experienced Hep A...and it was NO mild disease. I was majorly plagued with it for OVER a month, and sick for at least 2 months. My doctor said that it was par for the course for the disease and I didn't have an abnormally awful bout of it. I was a healthy 24 year old when I contracted it. I got it from tainted food at a public restaurant. Yah, gross.

My wording was not as accurate as it should have been

It is particularly mild in children. MUCH milder than in adults.

-Angela

[anewmama]

I had it as a child, too and was as sick as Parker'smommy describe. I dreaded the frequent blood draws. That was pretty hard. Very painful awful stomach pains, total exhaustion, wasn't allowed to walk and was totally bed ridden during this time. ALso not allowed to eat alot of foods. And was some what quarantined from the rest of the family, certainly all my dishes and so forth. Difficult time. NOT mild like a mild cold. Much more than that.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by anewmama

I had it as a child, too and was as sick as Parker'smommy describe. I dreaded the frequent blood draws. That was pretty hard. Very painful awful stomach pains, total exhaustion, wasn't allowed to walk and was totally bed ridden during this time. ALso not allowed to eat alot of foods. And was some what quarantined from the rest of the family, certainly all my dishes and so forth. Difficult time. NOT mild like a mild cold. Much more than that.

I'm sorry for your rotten experience.

Statistically though, children often (perhaps even usually- I'd have to check numbers) have cases so mild as to go undiagnosed.

-Angela