Hepatitis A Prevalent in U.S.
ATLANTA - Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are reporting that hepatitis A may actually infect 10 times more Americans than previously thought.
The discovery comes after researchers developed a mathematical model to estimate underreporting and other variables. They determined that more than 271,000 Americans were infected with the virus annually from 1980 to 1999. Additional research suggests that 47 million Americans have antibodies present suggesting they have once been exposed to the disease.
Hepatitis A, spread through contaminated food and water, does not cause a long-lasting illness like hepatitis B and C. The researchers noted that the majority of new infections were discovered in children, age 10 and younger.
Because symptoms are flu-like in nature, many people do not realize they have become sick. The virus also can cause jaundice and diarrhea.
Information from www.reuters.com
I Was There: An Infection Preventionist on the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 30th 2025Deep feelings run strong about the COVID-19 pandemic, and some beautiful art has come out of those emotions. Infection Control Today is proud to share this poem by Carmen Duke, MPH, CIC, in response to a recent article by Heather Stoltzfus, MPH, RN, CIC.
From the Derby to the Decontam Room: Leadership Lessons for Sterile Processing
April 27th 2025Elizabeth (Betty) Casey, MSN, RN, CNOR, CRCST, CHL, is the SVP of Operations and Chief Nursing Officer at Surgical Solutions in Overland, Kansas. This SPD leader reframes preparation, unpredictability, and teamwork by comparing surgical services to the Kentucky Derby to reenergize sterile processing professionals and inspire systemic change.
Show, Tell, Teach: Elevating EVS Training Through Cognitive Science and Performance Coaching
April 25th 2025Training EVS workers for hygiene excellence demands more than manuals—it requires active engagement, motor skills coaching, and teach-back techniques to reduce HAIs and improve patient outcomes.
