Hepatitis is an inflammation of your liver. Hepatitis A is an infection causing the inflammation of the liver. It is not a chronic condition, as are hepatitis B and C. Once you've had hepatitis A and recovered, your liver also heals and you become immune to catching hepatitis A again. Many people carry an antibody to hepatitis A, meaning they can carry the infection and pass it to others but never experience symptoms themselves.
Fecal Material
The fecal-oral spread of hepatitis A is the most common cause. If you eat or drink anything that has been contaminated with fecal material containing hepatitis A, you are at risk.
Raw or Undercooked Shellfish
If you consume raw or undercooked shellfish that lived in water that was polluted by sewage, you can contract hepatitis A.
Blood Transfusion
It is possible, although rare, to contract hepatitis A via blood transfusion.
Sexual Intercourse
If you engage in sexual intercourse with someone who has hepatitis A, you are at an increased risk of getting hepatitis A.
Travel
If you travel to developing countries, you are at an increased risk of contracting hepatitis A.
Place of Employment
If you are employed at a prison, day care center or other place where fecal oral transmission has a higher rate of occurrence, you are more susceptible to getting hepatitis A.
Tags: contract hepatitis, getting hepatitis, increased risk, your liver