--- title: Real Life Impacts of Hepatitis A Infection date: 2021-01-06T18:14:00-08:00 author: admin canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts" section: Resource Library --- [Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a) / # Real Life Impacts of Hepatitis A Infection ### Hepatitis A infection can lead to liver failure and the need for a liver transplant. The number of acute hepatitis A infections in the U.S. drastically fell in the first part of the 21st century, largely because hepatitis A vaccination was recommended for persons in groups shown to be at high risk for infection and children living in communities with high rates of disease, beginning in 1996. By 2006, the hepatitis A vaccine had been incorporated into the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) Recommended Childhood Vaccination Schedule for all children in the United States. The ACIP published its most current recommendations in February 2020. ![](https://holistic-kudu.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/about_hepatitis/image18.jpeg?w=714&h=472&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1686509375&s=5d1ecb2bde2f4631a8d5fbebc335c111)Despite a decrease in the number of hepatitis A cases reported annually, anyone who has not been vaccinated is at risk for contracting hepatitis A infection. Persons over the age of 50, those with chronic liver disease, and immunocompromised individuals who have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A remain most at risk for developing fulminant hepatitis. A few families whose lives were permanently altered by this devastating pathogen volunteered to share their stories. All were part of a 2003 hepatitis A outbreak that was traced to green onions served in food prepared at the Beaver Valley Mall Chi-Chi’s restaurant in Monaca, Pennsylvania. At least 565 cases of hepatitis A were traced to Chi-Chi’s; 128 were hospitalized and 3 people died. - “Ben” and “Lynn” both became ill with hepatitis A infections after eating at Chi-Chi’s. They were both ill with hepatitis A for over a month. Lynn developed Bell’s Palsy, and Ben missed so much work due to his hepatitis A infection that he lost his job. - “Michael” received a kidney transplant just five months before contracting hepatitis A from green onions served at Chi-Chi’s. He was taking anti-rejection medications at the time of his illness and was more susceptible to infection than a healthy adult. Michael was hospitalized five times while infected with hepatitis A, between October 2003 and June 2004. - Richard and Linda Miller also became ill with hepatitis A infections after eating food from Chi-Chi’s. [While Linda recovered from her illness, Richard developed fulminant hepatitis A and required a liver transplant to stay alive.](https://billmarler.com/key_case/chi-chis-hepatitis-a-outbreak) [ Next: How to Prevent Hepatitis A Infection › ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-prevention) ### More information about Hepatitis A [May 20, 2023 ###### A quick look at the 2018 Hepatitis A outbreak Litigation proceeded in a Virginia state court against Tropical Smoothie and the strawberry supply chain. 134 people with Hepatitis A were reported from nine states, including: Arkansas (1), California (1) ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/a-quick-look-at-the-2018-hepatitis-a-outbreak) [March 26, 2023 ###### Hepatitis A outbreak linked to strawberries The CDC, state public health and regulatory officials, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating an outbreak of Hepatitis A linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from certain ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/hepatitis-a-outbreak-linked-to-strawberries) [December 11, 2022 ###### Since 2016, the US has seen 44,760 Hepatitis A cases with 27,327 hospitalizations and 426 deaths According to the CDC, when hearing about hepatitis A, many people think about contaminated food and water. However, in the United States, hepatitis A is more commonly spread from person ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/since-2016-the-us-has-seen-44760-hepatitis-a-cases-with-27327-hospitalizations-and-426-deaths) [December 11, 2022 ###### Famous Anthony’s Hepatitis A case moves towards justice The Roanoke Times reports: The victims of a hepatitis A outbreak at a Roanoke restaurant — which killed four people and sickened more than 40 — were allowed Thursday to ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/famous-anthonys-hepatitis-a-case-moves-towards-justice) [1. View all ](/news_events/outbreaks?illness=hepatitis-a&year=all) ## All Hepatitis A Resources [###### Hepatitis A Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/about-hepatitis) [###### The Incidence of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/how-common-is-hepatitis-a-infection) [###### Transmission of Hepatitis A ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/how-does-hepatitis-a-spread) [###### Symptoms of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-symptoms-risks) [###### Complications of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-complications) [###### Diagnosis of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-diagnosis) [###### Treatment for Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-treatment) [###### Real Life Impacts of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts) [###### Real Life Impacts: The Story of Michael ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts-the-story-of-michael) [###### Real Life Impacts: The Story of Ben and Lynn ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts-the-story-of-ben-and-lynn) [###### Real Life Impacts: The Story of Richard Miller ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts-the-story-of-richard-miller) [###### How to Prevent Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-prevention) [###### Outbreaks of Hepatitis A ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-outbreaks) [###### Hepatitis A References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-a-references) ### Other foodborne illnesses [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) [Salmonella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella) [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) [Reactive Arthritis](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome) [Norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus) [Botulism](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism) [Campylobacter](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter) [Shigella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella) [Cyclospora](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome)