Hepatitis A causes
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Hepatitis A |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Causes
Hepatitis virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped ssRNA virus with a single serovar.
Hepatitis A is spread through ingesting food or water contaminated by the feces of an infected person. People with HAV are infectious from the beginning of the incubation period (about a month before symptoms) until one week after they become jaundiced. 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.
- Having anal or oral sex with someone who has HAV.
- Not washing hands after changing a diaper (young children often are asymptomatic).
- 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.
If you have HAV or you live with someone who has HAV, to prevent spreading one with HAV should:
- Always wash hands thoroughly after going to the bathroom.
- Clean bathrooms often, paying attention to commonly-touched surfaces (toilet seats, faucet taps, etc.).
- Not prepare food for other people.
- Not share utensils.
- Not share any personal items that can spread HAV (toothbrushes, towels, etc.).
It is recommended that all people with Hepatitis A not work for 1 week after they become jaundiced to prevent spreading.