What causes hepatitis A?

What causes hepatitis A?

The hepatitis A virus causes hepatitis A. Viruses are germs that can cause sickness. For example, the flu is caused by a virus. People can pass viruses to each other.

Who gets hepatitis A?

Anyone can get hepatitis A, but some people are at higher risk, including

• people who travel to developing countries
• people who live with someone who has hepatitis A
• people who use illegal drugs, including noninjection drugs
• men who have sex with men

How could I get hepatitis A?

You could get hepatitis A through contact with an infected person's stool.

You could get hepatitis A from:

• eating food made by an infected person who didn't wash his or her hands after using the bathroom
• drinking untreated water or eating food washed in untreated water
• placing a finger or object in your mouth that came into contact with an infected person's stool
• having close personal contact with an infected person, such as through sex or caring for someone who is ill

You cannot get hepatitis A from:

• someone sneezing or coughing on you
• sitting next to a person who has hepatitis A
• hugging an infected person