UNION CO. (WSIL) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has reported 178 cases of Hepatitis A since September 2018. Two of those cases were found in Union County.
According to IDPH, Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection. People with the infection can spread it through person-to-person contact contaminated by fecal matter.
Symptoms usually start within four weeks of exposure, but could occur as late as seven weeks.
The ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý Seven Health Department wants to help prevent spreading the preventable virus.
"If you're someone who's been exposed to someone with Hepatitis A, go ahead and get the vaccination, because even if you've contracted the illness, then it's going to reduce the severity of that illness," explained community outreach coordinator Shawnna Rhine
With one or two shots ahead of time, you can keep yourself safe from contracting the virus. If you're already sick, there is no treatment aside from rest, fluids and adequate nutrition.
Thoroughly washing your hands can also prevent the spread.
