Day 2: More Houstonians Vaccinated Against Hepatitis A

HOUSTON -- More Houstonians who may have been exposed to hepatitis A at a local restaurant got immunization shots on the second day they were offered, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.

Hundreds of people who worked or dined at Pappasito's Cantina on the North Freeway near Airtex Drive have been vaccinated after an employee was diagnosed with the disease.

Those that went to the center on Wednesday experienced much shorter wait times than the day before, when many waited up to three hours to get their immunization.

"We came with my 3-year-old, my husband and I came yesterday, but decided we didn't want to wait three hours with our 3-year-old," Jennifer Englebretson, who was attending the clinic, said. "He's at school today, and my husband came this morning, and I came now. In and out. Straight in, straight out."

Doctors said Wednesday is the last day of eligibility for people who ate or worked at the restaurant on Feb 7.

Health officials said immune globulin shots can prevent the disease from developing if they are received a maximum of two weeks after potential exposure.

Thousands of diners and employees at the restaurant on the following dates may have been exposed:

Jan. 23 through 27 Jan. 30 and 31 Feb. 1 Feb. 3 Feb. 7 through 9

Health officials made the shots available to diners or employees who were at the restaurant Feb. 7 through 9.

The free shots are available at the Mangum-Howell Center in the 2500 block of Frick Road through Thursday. Employees and diners can receive the shots from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Hepatitis A passes from person to person. Most people recover without any major long-term health problems.

Health workers suggested that those possibly infected should use bacterial gels or hand sanitizer to prevent the possibility of spreading the disease to their family members.

A person with the virus is infectious from about two weeks before to one week after the person experiences jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Infants and children do not always show symptoms.

Symptoms of hepatitis A include:

Extreme tiredness
Fever
Nausea and/or vomiting
Stomach pain or diarrhea
Light-colored stool or dark, rust-colored urine
Jaundice

Officials said the best way to protect against hepatitis A is to thoroughly wash hands with soap and water.

A hot line has been setup to give the public more information about hepatitis A. The hot line is available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 713-212-0200.

Information is also available online at www.hcphes.org.