What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is very contagious and can cause severe illness. Hepatitis A spreads when you ingest tiny amounts of the virus, either through food or drinking water that has been contaminated, especially when proper handwashing is not practiced. It also spreads through close contact with an infected person.
Common sources for transmission of HAV are water, raw shellfish and ready-to-eat foods like salads. This can happen when infected people do not properly wash their hands after using the restroom or changing a diaper, and then touch foods or food contact surfaces. Indirect sources of transmission are the items that come into contact with foods, such as utensils and work surfaces in the kitchen. This becomes especially dangerous when the foods being prepared will not be cooked before being eaten, such as raw shellfish.
Most people recover fully, but the illness can last for weeks or even months. In rare cases it can lead to liver failure, especially in older adults or those with other health conditions. Taking steps like vaccination and practicing good hygiene are key to preventing infection.