What are the differences between routes of transmission of hepatitis B and C and hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A infection (infectious hepatitis): This RNA virus is spread through a fecal-oral route because the virus is shed predominantly in the stool. Cases of HAV are commonly seen as sporadic outbreaks in restaurants where a food-handler has a subclinical or early infection or in other close contact settings. In less developed countries, where sanitation and poor hygiene are problems, HAV is usually contracted as a childhood disease, and most adults show serologic evidence of prior exposure. Hepatitis B infection: This DNA virus is spread parenterally and through intimate contact whereby HBV is transferred to mucosal or cutaneous surfaces, as may occur during various sexual activities. It is endemic among male homosexuals, but lesbians actually have the lowest risk for hepatitis B (or any sexually transmitted disease, for that matter), even lower than heterosexual males and females. Except for intravenous drug users, medical personnel, the male homosexual community, and individuals
