KU News Release

KU student diagnosed with hepatitis A; risk low for other students

LAWRENCE — A University of Kansas student was diagnosed last week with hepatitis A, officials announced today.

As a precautionary measure, KU’s Student Health Services has distributed informational letters on hepatitis A to fewer than 30 students who were in close contact with the infected student. University officials are confident that any risk of contracting hepatitis A by other students is low.

“The risk is low in this case,” said Dr. Patricia Denning, Student Health Services chief of staff. “We always advise students to follow good hygiene practices and take the usual precautions, as they do to avoid the flu or any other illnesses, including frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizer.”

Hepatitis A, also called infectious hepatitis, is generally a mild illness that affects the liver. Symptoms include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, dark urine and jaundice. The virus is found in the feces of infected people and is spread when people do not wash their hands after using the toilet or changing diapers, then touch their mouths or prepare food.

A person with hepatitis A is most contagious two weeks before symptoms begin. The ill student went to his out-of-state home on Nov. 8 after experiencing symptoms. He is recovering and has been cleared to return to campus.

For more information about hepatitis A, call Student Health Services, (785) 864-9583, or the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, (785) 843-0721.

Student Health Services is dedicated to supporting KU students’ learning experiences through high-quality, affordable health care and innovative programs that promote the health of the student, university and community.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.