Hepatitis A

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Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infects the liver. It is primarily acquired via the fecal-oral route, either through person-to-person contact or by ingestion of fecally-contaminated food or water. Before routine childhood vaccination against hepatitis A, infection was common among children. Today, adults account for the majority of cases. Most cases occur through consumption of contaminated food during travel. Hepatitis A has also been linked to sexual activity among men who have sex with men when oral contact with stool-contaminated skin occurs. Illicit drug users are also at higher risk of hepatitis A. Unlike hepatitis B or C, HAV does not cause chronic infection or carriage. HAV is more common in developing countries where sanitation is poor and vaccine is not available.

Hepatitis A
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