Personal Injury Law

At least 10,000 should receive IG shots to prevent Hepatitis A from Milan McDonalds - At least 20 confirmed ill thus far

By Bill Marler, Esq.

Thousands of people are lining up in southern Illinois to receive Immunoglobulin (IG or Immune Globulin or Gamma Globulin) shots. IG is pooled/plasma-containing antibodies against a number of diseases like measles, rubella, varicella, and Hepatitis A. For protection against Hepatitis A after exposure, it must be given within two weeks of exposure and should be given concurrently with Hepatitis A to develop active immunity. A second dose of Hepatitis A is required six months later.

Side effects after receiving IG may include: muscle stiffness, redness, warmth, pain and tenderness at injection site. Fever, chills, headache, weakness and nausea may occur. If these symptoms continue beyond 48 hours or become bothersome, contact your physician. If skin rash, swelling of hands/feet or face, or trouble breathing develop, contact your doctor immediately. IG may interfere with the immune response to live vaccines, so discuss this with your physician before taking it. If you take IG, you will not be able to donate blood for several months.

In the last several years, the need to get IG shots because of infected restaurant employees or food has happened at a far too frequent rate. Here are some examples of cases we have been involved in where we filed Class Actions on behalf of those that were required to get IG shots:

Carl's Jr. Hepatitis A Outbreak – Washington – 1,300 IG shots given

Chi-Chi's Hepatitis A Outbreak – Pennsylvania – 9,000 IG shots given (we also represented the state of Pennsylvania in securing reimbursement for the cost of giving free shots)

D'Angelo's Deli Hepatitis A Outbreak – Massachusetts – 1,600 IG shots given

Friendly's Hepatitis A Exposure – Massachusetts – 3,800 IG shots given

Houlihan's Hepatitis A Exposure – Illinois – 3,000 IG shots given

Quizno's Hepatitis A Exposure – Massachusetts – 850 IG shots given

Full post as published by Marler Blog on July 20, 2009 (boomark / email).