Tennessee is the most recent state to report an outbreak of hepatitis A, with Nashville claiming 14 confirmed cases since December.
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Over the past two years, six other states have experienced outbreaks, and although demand for the vaccine outpaced supply earlier this year, there is enough supply to satisfy current needs, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
California, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Utah and West Virginia have reported outbreaks of hepatitis A since March 2017. Cases in these states, with the exception of Michigan, have been genetically identical or similar, according to the CDC. Laboratory reports have not determined whether the viral strains from cases in Nashville are also genetically linked.
Symptoms of hepatitis A, which include fever, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), usually last less than two months, although some people can be ill for as long as six months, according to the CDC.
Most patients recover completely and do not have any lasting liver damage.
Hepatitis A is typically spread when people eat contaminated food or water; more rarely, the virus is transmitted person-to-person through poor hygiene and close contact. Although there are no special treatments, doctors recommend rest, adequate nutrition and fluids.
Generally, people get sick between 15 and 50 days after their first exposure to the virus. Infected people can spread the virus one to two weeks before their own symptoms appear and up to one week after they develop jaundice, usually a late-appearing symptom.
