Sources of Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a viral infection that is acquired by consuming contaminated food or water or by ingesting contaminated fecal material from an infected person. While not a public health concern in the United States, many developing nations have a high number of infections. Proper food handling and water treatment prevents infection, while a vaccine against the hepatitis A virus is available for use in people in group settings.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Symptoms include jaundice (a yellowing of the skin), abdominal pain and inflammation of the liver. HAV is transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food and water and, rarely, through the blood of an infected person. While the incidence of hepatitis A has decreased in the U.S., it remains a major concern among developing countries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 25,000 new hepatitis A infections occur in the U.S. each year.
Foods
When someone infected with HAV does not practice good hygiene, she may pass the infection to others by contaminating food. This is the reason why food handlers in most states are restricted from working for up to two weeks after their symptoms resolve. Fruits and vegetables grown on fields where the water supply comes from sewage have been associated with HAV infections and outbreaks. Properly cooking the food destroys the virus, and enforcing hand washing rules in food establishments prevents HAV and other food-borne infections.
Water
When water is contaminated with HAV from sewer or other sources, large outbreaks of hepatitis A may occur. This is why "water boiling" warnings are given when water mains break. In areas where water is not treated before it arrives at homes, boiling the water or using chemicals like chlorine help minimize the chance of infection from not only HAV but other viruses, bacteria and parasites as well.
Group Settings
Hepatitis A is more a concern in the U.S. in group settings such as prisons, mental wards and long-term care facilities. This is because a person with hepatitis A is capable of infecting others when he comes into contact with the infected person's fecal material. This may happen when the fecal material is on surfaces or from person-to-person when hygiene is not practiced through hand washing. HAV vaccine is highly recommended for people in those settings.
Vaccine
A vaccine against HAV has been available in the U.S. since 1995. CDC recommends that travelers to countries where hepatitis A is highly endemic (naturally occurring) be vaccinated. People in group settings, IV drug users and men who have sex with men are also encouraged to receive the vaccine. Other recommendations include consuming well-cooked foods, potable water and practicing good hygiene.
Tags: fecal material, infected person, contaminated food, contaminated food water, food water, good hygiene