Hundreds Line Up for Hepatitis A Shots

KTRH 740 NewsRadio ^ | KTRH News Staff

[carlo3b]

Hundreds Line Up for Hepatitis A Shots

Thousands may have been exposed recently to hepatitis A at a Pappasito's Cantina on Houston's north side, and shots are being offered to those who may have been infected.
By KTRH News Staff
Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Because hepatitis is contagious, the Harris County Department of Public Health is offering free shots of "immune globulin." However health officials say the shot only works for those who've come in contact with hepatitis within the previous two weeks. After that, anyone possibly exposed should watch for symptoms of fever, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion. Anyone who experiences such symptoms should see a doctor.

The antibody shots are available 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday at the Mangum-Howell Center, 2500 Frick Road.

The virus is transmitted through close contact with someone who may not have washed their hands thoroughly after using the bathroom. The health department says a waiter at the restaurant was recently diagnosed with the condition and may have passed it along to co-workers and patrons.

Anyone who visited the restaurant Jan. 23-27, Jan. 30-31 or Feb. 1, 3, 7, 8 or 9 should watch for possible symptoms.

Hepatitis A is rarely fatal, and most people who have it recover in a short time with no long-term effects.

MORE INFORMATION: Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services or call at 713-212-0200.

[carlo3b]

This is happening more often than reported.. Open borders and undocumented kitchen workers are not as hygiene conscience as we are taught.. Further, HIV, AIDS, carriers are a major source of contagious diseases.. Restaurants, and food service operations cannot refuse "AIDS afflicted" from food handlers employment..

[carlo3b]

Calling Houston Ping list..

[carlo3b]

This problem is not just a Houston, or Texas problem.. We must place a great deal of pressure on state, county, as well as local health Departments to amend and straighten their rules to cover obvious breaks in health rules..

[Alter Kaker]

Restaurants, and food service operations cannot refuse "AIDS afflicted" from food handlers employment..

Find me one person on the planet who has contracted HIV from a food service worker (without having sex with them) and I'll buy you a $5 cigar.

[carlo3b]

Pappasito's Cantina on Houston's north side, is the latest crime scene, but several fast food operations in the Montrose, and Telephone Road, areas have been hit recently..

[Old Professer]

You mean it's not Delivery...?

[carlo3b]

Not cigar, I was not suggesting that AIDS is the threat of transmission.. It is the weakness or outright absence of the AIDS patient immune system, that leads them to be mega carriers of every known diseases, which posses the greatest threat for contagious diseases, IE: TB,(which was all but eradicated until the AIDS epidemic brought it back with a vengeance) Hepatitis, deadly strains of airborne influenza, staphylococcal..

[carlo3b]

You mean it's not Delivery...?

The problems exist in the food preparation arenas.. Is that your question, or was it a joke.. :)

[calex59]

Restaurants, and food service operations cannot refuse "AIDS afflicted" from food handlers employment..

Find me one person on the planet who has contracted HIV from a food service worker (without having sex with them) and I'll buy you a $5 cigar.

You might want to read carlo3b's comment again. Nowhere in it did he state that you could contact aids from and HIV positive person working in the food service industry. He said that Aids carriers are a major source of contatious deseases and he is correct, they are. Because they are HIV positive they are suseptible to many deseases which they then can pass on to other people.

This is what he said in full: "Further, HIV, AIDS, carriers are a major source of contagious diseases. Restaurants, and food service operations cannot refuse "AIDS afflicted" from food handlers employment.." Most aids patients die from the contatious deseases they contract due to their immune systems being out of order.

[carlo3b]

Thank you for your assistance.. I have been in a constant war with several Health Departments encouraging them to use common sense with the protection of AIDS, HIV political status, where national health is concerned..

I have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal and court costs defending my reputation and protecting my customers against this craziness..

I haven't be able to win, even a small battle, even though everyone agrees with my stance, they are afraid to stand up to the Gay lobby..

[wafflehouse]

Hepatitis A is rarely fatal

well thats not terribly reassuring now is it?

[TRY ONE]

My wife and I ate there on the noted date. We talked to our doctor about the shots and he said, if it were him, he would not do it ....... it is low risk of being infected.

[wysiwyg]

Hundreds Line Up for Hepatitis A Shots

I hope that Pappas, not Harris County taxpayers, is paying for all of this. I'm not counting on it, though.

[Ditter]

what is it about the shots that made your doctor say don't take them? Is there a danger in the shot itself?

[TRY ONE]

"what is it about the shots that made your doctor say don't take them? Is there a danger in the shot itself?"

No, nothing about the shot itself; the Dr. said based on our sitting there drinking a Margarita, we were probably at low risk picking up something. However, he left the final decision up to us.

[Ditter]

I see, thanks.

[COBOL2Java]

FWIW, I'm currently going through the Hepatitis B series. My physician asked me if I would be interested in also having the Hep A shots, but cautioned me that many people have nasty reactions to the Hep A vaccine. My daughter got the "A" shots while in the Army and said they leave you feeling pretty sick for a while.

[Ditter]

Thanks, I have nasty reactions to just about all meds, so I'll pass unless it is absolutely necessary.

[jiggyboy]

In all seriousness, are these outbreaks ever traced to places that are not Mexican restaurants? My Silicon Valley scorecard over the past couple of years for example is like 5-0.

[Old Professer]

A bit of both; when one gets too serious one gets sloppy.