Is hepatitis A transmitted through airborne transmission?
Disease description:
One of my childhood friends has been diagnosed with hepatitis A. My mother told me not to have contact with her, saying this disease can spread through the air. Is airborne transmission a route of hepatitis A transmission?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Huang Wenxiang
Hepatitis A is not transmitted via the air. It is primarily caused by infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV), and its main route of transmission is the fecal-oral pathway. Infection typically occurs after ingestion of food or water contaminated with the virus; transmission via respiratory droplets or airborne routes is generally not observed. Hepatitis A is an acute, self-limiting disease, and most patients achieve full recovery following supportive treatment—including hepatoprotection, enzyme-lowering, and jaundice-relieving measures.
