Risk Factors and Transmission
Depending on the type of hepatitis virus, there are different ways that people can acquire hepatitis. In the United States, the main ways that people contract hepatitis are:
- Hepatitis A. Through contaminated food and water
- Hepatitis B. Through sexual contact
- Hepatitis C. Through contact with infected blood, usually by sharing drug injection needles and syringes
Hepatitis A
The hepatitis A virus is excreted in feces and transmitted by ingesting contaminated food or water. An infected person can transmit hepatitis to others if they do not take strict sanitary precautions, such as thoroughly washing hands before food preparation
People can become infected with hepatitis A by:
- Eating or drinking food or water contaminated with hepatitis A virus. Contaminated fruits, vegetables, shellfish, ice, and water are common sources of hepatitis A transmission.
- Engaging in sexual practices (oral-anal contact) that may facilitate ingestion of fecal matter.
People at high risk for hepatitis A infection include:
- International travelers. Hepatitis A is the hepatitis strain people are most likely to encounter in the course of international travel to developing countries.
- Day care employees and children. Many cases of hepatitis A occur among day care employees and children who attend day care. Risks can be reduced if hygienic precautions are used, particularly when changing babies and handling diapers.
- People living in a household with someone who has hepatitis A
- Men who have sex with men
- Users of illegal drugs
Hepatitis B
The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through blood, semen, and vaginal secretions. Situations that can cause hepatitis B transmission include:
- Sexual contact with an infected person (using a condom can help reduce risk)
- Sharing needles and drug injection equipment
- Sharing personal items, (such as toothbrushes, razors, and nail clippers), with an infected person
- Having direct contact with blood of an infected person, through touching open wounds or needlesticks
- During birth, an infected mother can spread the hepatitis B virus to her baby.
The CDC recommends routine testing for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection for the following high risk groups:
