There are many different types of viruses, bacteria, or toxic chemicals that can lead to food poisoning outbreaks. Hepatitis A is one of the less common foodborne illnesses, but it still affects tens of thousands of people each year in the United States. This disease can be very dangerous, and those who have been affected will want to consult with an attorney to determine their options for recovering financial compensation from the person or establishment that was responsible.
What Makes Hepatitis A Different From Other Foodborne Illnesses?
Most foodborne illnesses affect the gastrointestinal system, and people will often begin experiencing symptoms within a few hours after eating contaminated foods. However, Hepatitis A attacks the liver, and symptoms will take longer to appear. Usually, a person will begin experiencing symptoms between 15 and 50 days after the contamination occurred. This can sometimes make it difficult to identify the source of the contamination.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue, which may be similar to the symptoms of other types of foodborne illnesses. However, victims may also experience jaundice in which they have a yellow tint to their skin and eyes, dark-colored urine, and pale-colored stools. This indicates that a person’s liver has been affected. Severe infections can cause serious damage to the liver, which could be fatal.
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