What Are the Causes of Hepatitis A?

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.