Hepatitis A Transmission
Ways of Transmission
Hepatitis A virus is found in the stool of the person infected with hepatitis A. It is transmitted trough contact with contaminated stool. The hepatitis A virus is easily transmitted from stool to food or water, and by swallowing, to your body.
So, the most common ways of transmitting the hepatitis a are:
- swallowing food or water that has been in contact with infected stool;
- not washing hands properly after using the toilet;
- handling eating/drinking utensils used by an infected person;
- having unprotected oral or anal sex.
There are several groups of individuals which presents an increased risk of contracted hepatitis A:
- children living in child care centre;
- people living in crowded or unsanitary conditions;
- visitors of the countries with high or intermediate levels of hepatitis A;
- sexually active persons (especially men who have sex with men).
and also, there are situations that facilitates the transmission of the virus:
- natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, etc when the drinking water can easily be contaminated with hepatitis A virus.