Royal Oak high schooler has confirmed case of hepatitis A

ROYAL OAK, Mich. (WJBK) - A student at Royal Oak High School has been diagnosed with a confirmed case of hepatits A.

School principal Michael Giromini sent out a letter to parents informing them of the diagnosis, and to watch for symptoms in their children. 

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection. You're most likely to get it from contaminated food or water or from close contact with someone that's infected. Symptoms include fatigue; sudden nausea and vomiting; abdominal pain (especially by your liver); clay-colored bowel movements; loss of appetite; low-grade fever; dark urine; joint pain; yellowing of the skin and the white of your eyes (jaundice); and/or intense itching. 

You can get more information about hepatitis A and its symptoms here from the Oakland County Health Department. 

Those with symptoms are asked to be kept home from school and see a doctor immediately. Parents can also call the Oakland County Health Department's Nurse on Call at (800) 848-5533 with questions. 

In the past few months, the number of Hepatitis A cases have surged throughout metro Detroit. 

The latest confirmed case that was reported was last week with a Buffalo Wild Wings employee in Warren. Several other restaurant employees have been reported with confirmed cases, including an Olga's worker in Monroe and a Red Lobster worker in Novi. 

Authorities said last year they think the surge in cases might be linked to opioids.