Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus. The hepatitis A virus is transmitted primarily by the fecal-oral route; that is when an uninfected person ingests food or water that has been contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. Waterborne outbreaks, though infrequent, are usually associated with sewage-contaminated or inadequately treated water.
People with HAV are infectious from the beginning of the incubation period (about a month before symptoms) until one week after they become jaundiced
Other common ways of acquiring Hepatitis A are:
Direct Person-to-person transmission Eating food made by someone who has HAV who did not properly wash their hands after using the bathroom. Not washing hands after changing a diaper (young children often are asymptomatic). Having anal or oral sex with someone who has HAV. Indirect transmission Eating uncooked food that is HAV -contaminated. Cooked food can also cause hepatitis if not heated to 185°F (85°C) for 1 minute after being contaminated with HAV. Drinking contaminated water. This is a common route of infection in underdeveloped countries. Chlorinated water, such as tap water in developed countries, kills HAV.
What causes Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus. The hepatitis A virus is transmitted primarily by the fecal-oral route; that is when an uninfected person ingests food or water that has been contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. Waterborne outbreaks, though infrequent, are usually associated with sewage-contaminated or inadequately treated water.
People with HAV are infectious from the beginning of the incubation period (about a month before symptoms) until one week after they become jaundiced
Other common ways of acquiring Hepatitis A are:
Direct Person-to-person transmission Eating food made by someone who has HAV who did not properly wash their hands after using the bathroom. Not washing hands after changing a diaper (young children often are asymptomatic). Having anal or oral sex with someone who has HAV. Indirect transmission Eating uncooked food that is HAV -contaminated. Cooked food can also cause hepatitis if not heated to 185°F (85°C) for 1 minute after being contaminated with HAV. Drinking contaminated water. This is a common route of infection in underdeveloped countries. Chlorinated water, such as tap water in developed countries, kills HAV.