most common mode of hepatitis a transmission

People with occupational risk for exposure.People who use injection or noninjection drugs.People at increased risk for HAV infection:.All children and adolescents 2–18 years of age who have not previously received hepatitis A vaccine (known as “catch up” vaccination).The following people should be vaccinated against hepatitis A:

The hepatitis A vaccine is safe and effective and is usually given in two shots, six months apart. Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease. In crowded, unsanitary conditions, HAV can be spread quickly and cause outbreaks by exposure to contaminated water or food (such as eating raw shellfish from water polluted with sewage). It is spread primarily when a person ingests the virus from food, drinks, or objects that have been contaminated by small amounts of stool from an infected person sex with an infected person, particularly if it involves anal-oral contact and through injection drug use. The most common risk factors among people with new HAV infections include: 1) drug use (injection and non-injection) 2) having sex with an infected person 3) coming in direct contact with persons who have HAV infection 4) homelessness and 5) traveling to countries where HAV infection is more common.įor countries where HAV infection is common, the risk factors are poor sanitation and lack of clean, safe drinking water. Who Is Most Affected?Īnyone who has not been vaccinated or previously infected can become infected with HAV. Globally, HAV infection is most common in countries with poor sanitary conditions and hygienic practices and transitional economies according to the World Health Organization. For the most recent surveillance data, visit CDC Viral Hepatitis Surveillance. Although there was a decrease in hepatitis A cases from 2019 to 2020, the number of reported cases in 2020 is 7 times higher than during 2015. From August 2016 through August 2020, 33 states reported hepatitis A outbreaks spread through person-to-person contact resulting in over 33,000 infections with high numbers of hospitalizations and deaths. From 2012 through 2016, the number of hepatitis A cases fluctuated because large foodborne outbreaks occurred. Since the release of the first vaccine in 1995, the rate of new HAV infections in the United States declined by more than 95% from 1996 to 2011. The best way to prevent HAV infection is by getting vaccinated. Once a person becomes infected with HAV, the person develops antibodies that protect them from getting the virus again. The symptoms will generally clear-up within 2 months of infection and may include: Older children and adults will usually have symptoms. Most children under 6 years of age do not have symptoms when they get hepatitis A. This is more common in individuals with existing liver disease and other illnesses often seen in homeless persons. Although most people who get hepatitis A are only sick for a few weeks, in rare cases, HAV infection can cause liver failure and death. Unlike hepatitis B and C, HAV infection does not cause long-term, chronic liver disease. HAV is highly contagious and can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to severe illness lasting several months. This can happen through unwashed hands when an infected person prepares food, by close personal contact such as during sex, or caring for someone who is ill. Hepatitis A can be transmitted when a person ingests the virus from food, drinks, or other objects that have been contaminated by small amounts of stool from an infected person. Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Topics on this page: What is Hepatitis A? | How Many People Have Hepatitis A ? | Who Is Most Affected? | How Is Hepatitis A Transmitted? | Hepatitis A Prevention | Testing | Treatment | Help Raise Awareness about Hepatitis A Outbreaks | Learn More About Hepatitis A What Is Hepatitis A? There is a safe and effective vaccine that prevents hepatitis A all children aged 12–23 months, as well as all children and adolescents 2–18 years of age who have not previously received hepatitis A vaccine (known as “catch up” vaccination) should be vaccinated.The outbreaks are primarily caused by person-to person spread mostly among people who use drugs or experience homelessness.More than 30 states have been affected by hepatitis A outbreaks since 2016.Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV).

Most common mode of hepatitis a transmission