Anne Arundel County health officials are suggesting that recent patrons of Jillian's Sports Cafe in Arundel Mills mall contact the Health Department because a restaurant worker tested positive this month for hepatitis A.

Customers who drank beverages with ice or freshly cut lemons at the restaurant between Dec. 4 and Dec. 15 are advised to consider receiving a shot of immune globulin, which confers protection against hepatitis infection if administered within two weeks of exposure.

The county Health Department received more than 300 calls during the weekend, and Jillian's received about 200 calls, restaurant officials said. No one other than the one employee has been infected, said Deputy Health Officer Dr. Katherine Farrell.

"People have called with symptoms, but when our doctors talked to them, it didn't sound like the symptoms were related," Farrell said.

Hepatitis A is a viral disease that affects the liver and usually is spread orally from person to person. The symptoms include jaundice, diarrhea, dark urine, fever, stomach pains and nausea. Farrell said the employee was a server whose job included slicing lemons and putting ice in drinks. She said he became ill Dec. 15.

Jillian's spokeswoman Vernessa Gates said the employee is recuperating at home and will return to work when he recovers. Gates said the company has never before had an employee infected with the illness.

Health officials consider the risk of transmission low. Information: 410-222-7256.