HOUSTON -- Customers from a north Houston Pappasitos Cantina restaurant are getting offers of cash and gift cards after they were exposed to hepatitis A last month. But accepting the offers has strings attached, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.

Hundreds of people who worked or dined at Pappasitos Cantina on the North Freeway near Airtex Drive were vaccinated after a waiter was diagnosed with the disease.

Thousands of diners and employees at the restaurant on the following dates were possibly 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.

"We waited for three and a half hours in line to get the shot," said a customer who did not want to be identified.

The customer then received an offer of $300 in cash and two $50 dining cards to compensate him for the inconvenience.

"They were quite anxious to get this signed and back in their hands, so that certainly concerned us," the customer said.

Personal injury attorney Steve Waldman said he should be concerned.

"Remember, this isn't a gift. This is a tradeoff. They are buying your right to sue away from you," Waldman said.

In order to get the money, Pappas wants customers to sign a document that would "fully release and discharge Pappas Restaurants from all claims suits … connected with any alleged exposure to hepatitis A at Pappasitos Cantina."

The release said the terms of the agreement are to be held in strict confidence.

"They do this because they don't want the bad publicity," Waldman said.

He said that before anyone signs the Pappasitos document, they should see a doctor and feel confident that they are not at risk for contracting hepatitis A.

No one from Pappasitos Cantina would return KPRC Local 2's phone calls for comment.

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.