Hepatitis A in Healthcare Settings

Overview of Hepatitis A in Healthcare Settings

Healthcare-Associated Hepatitis A occurs infrequently, and transmission to personnel usually occurs when the source patient has unrecognized hepatitis and is fecally incontinent or has diarrhea. Other risk factors for hepatitis A virus (HAV) transmission to personnel include activities that increase the risk of fecal-oral contamination such as (a) eating or drinking in patient care areas, (b) not washing hands after handling an infected infant, and (c) sharing food, beverages, or cigarettes with patients, their families, or other staff members.

Background/General Information

Date last modified: October 2, 2000
Content source:  Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP)