Contracting hepatitis from food: Is it possible? Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Can a person contract hepatitis from food or drink Medically reviewed by Adam Bernstein, MD, ScD — By Jenna Fletcher on July 21, 2022Several viruses can cause hepatitis, which is inflammation of the liver. These include hepatitis A, B, and C. A person can contract hepatitis A by consuming contaminated food and water. In the United States, the most common forms of viral hepatitis are A, B, and C. A person can get hepatitis B and C through contact with bodily fluids, such as blood, that contain the virus. However, a person can contract hepatitis A from eating contaminated food. This article looks at the link between hepatitis and what a person eats and drinks. It also discusses prevention strategies and explains what a person should do if they suspect that they have hepatitis. What forms of hepatitis can a person contract from food Share on PinterestLuis Alvarez/Getty ImagesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that the only form of viral hepatitis that can spread via contaminated food or water is hepatitis A. The virus primarily spreads when a person who is not vaccinated consumes contaminated food and water. A person cannot contract hepatitis B or hepatitis C via contaminated food and water. The transmission of hepatitis B can occur through:contact with semen, blood, and other fluidsusing equipment, such as a needle or syringe, that has blood on it from someone who has hepatitis Bsexual contact with someone who has the virussharing personal care items, such as razors and toothbrushes Hepatitis C spreads through blood. Needle sharing, contaminated blood transfusions, and using unsanitary medical equipment, such as needles or other devices, can all allow hepatitis C to spread from one person to another. Hepatitis B and C transmission can also occur during childbirth and in healthcare facilities with insufficient infection control. How can a person contract hepatitis from contaminated food The Washington State Department of Health states that a person can come into contact with hepatitis A if they eat food or drink water that is contaminated with the feces of a person who has the virus. The virus can, therefore, spread from a person who does not wash their hands after using the bathroom and then touches food. The food itself can also be contaminated with hepatitis A. For example, people can contract hepatitis A if they eat oysters that farmers have harvested from sewage-contaminated water. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that cases of hepatitis A are not common in the U.S. However, when they do happen, an outbreak occurs during which several people become sick. What types of food can transmit hepatitis Although a person can contract hepatitis A from nearly any food or drink, some common causes of outbreaks in the U.S. include:saladswaterraw fruit or berriesshellfishraw vegetables Signs that a person has contracted hepatitis from food It can take 14–28 days for a person to show signs of hepatitis A infection. The symptoms can be mild or severe, but they rarely result in death. The symptoms of hepatitis A include:feverdiarrheadark urinemalaisepale stoolabdominal discomfortloss of appetitenausea jaundice, which is the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes It can take between a few weeks and several months for a person to recover from hepatitis A. A person might not experience all of the above symptoms, which are more common in adults than children. Children under the age of 6 years have the highest chance of being asymptomatic. What to do after possibly contracting hepatitis from food A person should contact a doctor if they suspect that they have consumed contaminated food or drink. The doctor can test for the infection. For those who are unvaccinated, a healthcare professional may administer postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) within 2 weeks of exposure. PEP consists of:the hepatitis A vaccine for those aged 1–40 years oldimmunoglobin that is specific to hepatitis for those who are not in the above age range A person does not require PEP if they have had the vaccination or previously had hepatitis A. The CDC states that all healthcare facilities need to report confirmed cases of hepatitis A to local, state, and national authorities for tracking. These facilities will only share the number of reported cases, not the individuals’ personal health data. Treatment There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. People should consume plenty of fluids to replace those lost as a result of diarrhea and vomiting. People should avoid taking acetaminophen, paracetamol, or medications that reduce vomiting. Prevention People can reduce the risk of hepatitis A transmission by:washing their hands for 20 seconds using warm soap and water before handling raw foodswashing their hands after changing diaperswashing their hands after using the bathroom People should also sanitize their kitchen using the following steps:Wash cutting boards, countertops, utensils, and the inside of the fridge walls and shelves.Sanitize the above using a solution consisting of 1 tablespoon of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of hot water.Dry these areas using a clean cloth or paper towel. Hepatitis A vaccine A person can also get a vaccination for hepatitis A. The CDC recommends vaccination for all children aged 12–23 months. The organization also advises that older children who did not get the vaccination at a younger age should get it as soon as possible. Other groups, such as men who have sex with men and those who travel internationally, should also get the vaccination. A person should speak with a doctor to determine whether they require a vaccination. Summary A person can contract hepatitis A from consuming contaminated food or water. This can occur when a person with the virus prepares or touches food and drink after not washing their hands properly after using the bathroom. To help prevent the spread of hepatitis A, people should ensure that they wash their hands and clean their kitchens thoroughly. People should also speak with a doctor to check whether they require the hepatitis A vaccine. Last medically reviewed on July 21, 2022Public HealthInfectious Diseases / Bacteria / VirusesLiver Disease / HepatitisNutrition / Diet 6 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Hepatitis A [Fact sheet]. (2022). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-aHepatitis A information for food establishments. (n.d.). https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/food/food-worker-and-industry/hepatitisHepatitis A surveillance guidance. (2021). https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/statistics/surveillanceguidance/HepatitisA.htmHepatitis A virus (HAV). (2021). https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/hepatitis-virus-havViral hepatitis and liver disease. (2019). https://www.hepatitis.va.gov/hav/patient/how-spread.aspWhat is viral hepatitis? (2020).https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/abc/index.htmFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Adam Bernstein, MD, ScD — By Jenna Fletcher on July 21, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageHepatitis A becomes health emergency in Florida The state of Florida has declared the current hepatitis A outbreak a 'public health emergency,' and officials encourage inhabitants to get vaccinated.READ MORE