how do you get hepatitis a

Hepatitis A is primarily acquired through the fecal-oral route, which means the virus spreads when tiny amounts of infected stool enter another person's mouth. This can happen by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the hepatitis A virus. Such contamination may occur when sewage mixes with drinking water, when food is handled by an infected person who hasn’t washed their hands properly, or when crops are irrigated with contaminated water. Common food sources include raw or undercooked shellfish, salads, fruits, vegetables, or any food washed or grown in unclean water. The virus can also spread through close personal contact with an infected person, including sexual contact or sharing drug-use equipment. Even if the infected person has no symptoms, they can still spread the virus. Hepatitis A is very contagious and people can spread it starting two weeks before symptoms appear and up to a week after jaundice develops. Good hygiene and vaccination are effective ways to prevent infection. Washing hands thoroughly before food preparation or eating and drinking bottled or boiled water in regions where hepatitis A is common can reduce risk significantly.