Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is contracted by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with human excrement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 150,000 people in the United States are infected each year by hepatitis A. Acute hepatitis A usually resolves itself within 6 months and does not develop into a chronic disease. The CDC lists household or sexual contact, day care attendance or employment, and recent international travel as the major known risk factors for transmission of hepatitis A. Infected food handlers and those who have used contaminated needles are also at risk for transmission.

Next section: "B" Informed