Although hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C all cause liver inflammation, they are different diseases caused by different viruses. The last two can be sexually transmitted, but hepatitis A is not generally considered an STD. For this reason, people often wonder whether hepatitis A is sexually transmitted at all. And if not, how is it transmitted from one person to another? These are all great questions, but to answer them we have to start with the basics.
What is hepatitis A?
The term ‘hepatitis’ means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be caused by many things, including heavy alcohol use, certain medications or health conditions, toxins, or viruses, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and the much less common hepatitis D and E. Although hepatitis B and C can cause chronic infections Hepatitis A usually causes a short-term infection and symptoms usually resolve within 8 weeks (severe cases can last up to 6 months and rarely lead to death). Symptoms may include general discomfort, fever, diarrhea, nausea, dark urine, and/or jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), although not everyone has symptoms. Fortunately, there is a vaccine, and doctors in the United States recommend that all children receive the vaccine by their first birthday (others at increased risk of contracting the virus should also be vaccinated… but more on that later).
How is Hepatitis A transmitted?
Hepatitis A is spread when someone accidentally ingests trace amounts of feces from an infected person. This can happen by eating food prepared by an infected person who has not washed their hands properly, drinking water from a contaminated source, or eating undercooked food. The best way to spread the infection is to wash your hands before preparing or eating food and after going to the toilet or changing diapers.
Like hepatitis B and hepatitis C, hepatitis A can be transmitted through sexual activity (especially anal sex) and needle sharing, although this is not common in the United States.
Who is at risk?
Although anyone who has not been vaccinated is theoretically at risk of contracting hepatitis A, the World Health Organization (WHO) lists the following groups as being most at risk:
- People who live in an area without safe water
- People who live with someone who is already infected
- Sexual partners of infected persons
- Recreational drug users
- Men who have sex with men
- People who plan to travel to areas with high infection rates
How many people are affected?
The WHO estimates that more than 1.4 million people worldwide contract hepatitis A every year, many of whom live in areas where clean water is not easily accessible. In the United States, 3,366 cases of hepatitis A were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2017 (although the actual number of cases was likely double that).
How can Hepatitis A be treated?
There is no cure for hepatitis A. The best way to prevent contracting the virus in the first place is with good hand hygiene. Vaccination is recommended for all children aged one year and for other people at high risk of contracting the virus, including men who have sex with men and people who use illegal drugs. Other people who should be vaccinated include people traveling to or adopting children from areas of the world with high rates of hepatitis A, people who may be exposed to hepatitis A at work, people with liver disease, and people taking certain blood products to get. If you have been exposed to the virus and have not been vaccinated, your doctor may recommend an injection known as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). This can prevent the virus from affecting you if you take it within two weeks of exposure. If you think you have hepatitis A or have been exposed to it, seek medical attention and follow your doctor’s advice. Most people recover without any specific treatment. Once the symptoms disappear, you are immune to the future infection.