One Tropical Smoothie Café employee has been sickened with Hepatitis A, Prince William County officials said.
Anyone who ate at the Gainesville Tropical Smoothie Cafe from July 28 through Aug. 18 may be exposed, officials said.
People who ate or drank at this location on Aug. 12 and 13 or Aug. 15 through Aug. 18 may still benefit from the vaccine or immune globulin to prevent Hepatitis-A because it will be received within two weeks of initial exposure.
Exposure can occur through direct contact with another person who has the infection or by consuming food or drinks that had been contaminated, health officials said.
Vaccines are available at various urgent care clinics and pharmacies throughout Prince William County and at the Health District.
Hepatitis-A is an inflammation of the liver. Typical symptoms include jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin or eyes. Other symptoms can be flu-like, including fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine and light-colored stools.
Symptoms typically develop between 15 and 50 days after exposure. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, see a medical provider to be evaluated. Health officials advised that you stay home from work.
Frequent handwashing with soap and warm water after using the restroom, changing a diaper or handling food can help prevent its spread, officials said.
This is part of the ongoing investigation into an outbreak of Hepatitis-A cases associated with smoothies from the Cafés in Virginia.
