Curbing hepatitis A

Although hepatitis A infection is rarely fatal, the suffering of those infected can be considerable. 

HEPATITIS A (HAV) is caused by an RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family, which includes the enteroviruses and rhinoviruses. Humans are the only reservoirs of HAV, which is spread by person-to-person contact, mainly by the faecal-oral route. The virus is discharged from the body of an infected person, who may or may not have symptoms. The HAV is a hardy virus that can survive for months under favourable environmental conditions. Close personal contact with an infected person and the ingestion of contaminated water and food are the most common modes of spread. Blood-borne transmission of HAV is uncommon.