United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Hepatitis C

How is hepatitis A spread?

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for Veterans and the Public

How is hepatitis A spread?

The hepatitis A virus is usually spread by putting something in your mouth that is contaminated by the stool of another person with hepatitis A. It is usually spread through

  • household contact with an infected person
  • sexual contact with an infected person
  • eating or drinking contaminated food or water
  • sharing eating utensils that are contaminated
  • touching contaminated surfaces and then placing your hands near or in the mouth