Risk Factors for Hepatitis A

List of Risk Factors for Hepatitis A

The list of risk factors mentioned for Hepatitis A in various sources includes:

• Travel to developing countries
• Illicit drug use
• Male homosexual behavior
• Hepatitis A research
• Direct contact
• Contaminated food
• Contaminated water

Hepatitis A Risk Factors: Book Excerpts

• Viral Hepatitis - risk factors - Viral Hepatitis

Risk factors discussion:

FDA Bad Bug Book (Excerpt)

Hepatitis A has a worldwide distribution occurring in both epidemic and sporadic fashions. About 22,700 cases of hepatitis A representing 38% of all hepatitis cases (5-year average from all routes of transmission) are reported annually in the U.S. In 1988 an estimated 7.3% cases were foodborne or waterborne. HAV is primarilly transmitted by person-to-person contact through fecal contamination, but common-source epidemics from contaminated food and water also occur. Poor sanitation and crowding facilitate transmission. Outbreaks of HA are common in institutions, crowded house projects, and prisons and in military forces in adverse situations. In developing countries, the incidence of disease in adults is relatively low because of exposure to the virus in childhood. Most individuals 18 and older demonstrate an immunity that provides lifelong protection against reinfection. In the U.S., the percentage of adults with immunity increases with age (10% for those 18-19 years of age to 65% for those over 50). The increased number of susceptible individuals allows common source epidemics to evolve rapidly. Summary of Notifiable Diseases, United States, 1997:MMWR 46(54) (Source: FDA Bad Bug Book)

FDA Bad Bug Book (Excerpt)

HAV is excreted in feces of infected people and can produce clinical disease when susceptible individuals consume contaminated water or foods. Cold cuts and sandwiches, fruits and fruit juices, milk and milk products, vegetables, salads, shellfish, and iced drinks are commonly implicated in outbreaks. Water, shellfish, and salads are the most frequent sources. Contamination of foods by infected workers in food processing plants and restaurants is common. (Source: FDA Bad Bug Book)

FDA Bad Bug Book (Excerpt)

All people who ingest the virus and are immunologically unprotected are susceptible to infection. Disease however, is more common in adults than in children. (Source: FDA Bad Bug Book)

Viral Hepatitis A to E and Beyond: NIDDK (Excerpt)

International travelers; people living in areas where hepatitis A outbreaks are common; people who live with or have sex with an infected person; and, during outbreaks, day care children and employees, sexually active gay men, and injection drug users. (Source: excerpt from Viral Hepatitis A to E and Beyond: NIDDK)

Facts About Hepatitis A and C: CDC-OC (Excerpt)

Persons at-risk for infection include household/sexual contacts of infected persons; international travelers; persons living on American Indian reservations, Alaska Native villages, and other regions with endemic hepatitis A (Source: excerpt from Facts About Hepatitis A and C: CDC-OC)

Facts About Hepatitis A and C: CDC-OC (Excerpt)

During outbreaks: day care center employees or attendees, homosexually active men, injecting drug users (Source: excerpt from Facts About Hepatitis A and C: CDC-OC)

Vaccinations for Hepatitis A & B: NIDDK (Excerpt)

High-risk populations

• Travelers to developing countries with high rates of hepatitis A, including Mexico.
• Men who have sex with men.
• Users of illegal drugs.
• People who work with hepatitis A virus in research settings.
• People who work with infected nonhuman primates.
• Recipients of clotting factor concentrates.
• People with chronic liver disease (because of risk of fulminant hepatitis A).

Risks factors for Hepatitis A: medical news summaries:

The following medical news items are relevant to risk factors for Hepatitis A:

• Natural disaster continuing death toll
• STDs can be transmitted through oral sex as well
• More news »

About risk factors:

Risk factors for Hepatitis A are factors that do not seem to be a direct cause of the disease, but seem to be associated in some way. Having a risk factor for Hepatitis A makes the chances of getting a condition higher but does not always lead to Hepatitis A. Also, the absence of any risk factors or having a protective factor does not necessarily guard you against getting Hepatitis A. For general information and a list of risk factors, see the risk center.

 » Next page: Symptoms of Hepatitis A

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