Which statement about the transmission of Hepatitis A is correct?

• A. Ingesting food or water contaminated with fecal matter
• B. Personal contact with an infected person
• C. Airborne transmission over long distances
• D. Sharing utensils

Answer: (A)

Hepatitis A mainly spreads through the fecal-oral route. That means the virus is shed in stool and can contaminate food or water. When someone eats or drinks something contaminated, the virus enters the body and causes infection. That’s why the statement about ingesting food or water contaminated with fecal matter is the correct description of how Hep A is transmitted.

Context helps: proper handwashing, safe food handling, and clean water are key defenses, and vaccination protects against infection. While close person-to-person contact can transmit the virus if there's fecal contamination, it isn’t the typical route, and the virus isn’t spread through normal airborne transmission or simply by sharing utensils unless contamination is involved.