What is hepatitis A and how is it transmitted?
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A. This type of transmission is called “fecal-oral.” For this reason, the virus is more easily spread in areas where there are poor sanitary conditions or where good personal hygiene is not observed. HAV is commonly transmitted by ingesting food contaminated by an infected food handler during the preparation process. Infections may also result from contact with a household member or sex partner who has HAV. Proper hand washing and food handling are keys to the prevention of HAV. Casual contact, as in the usual office, factory, or school setting, does not spread the virus.
