Micro & Immunology · single question
What is the most common type of hepatitis spread through contaminated SEAFOOD / fecal-oral route?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Hepatitis A
A) Hepatitis A — CORRECT.
Hepatitis A is transmitted via the fecal-oral route — contaminated water, undercooked shellfish/seafood (clams, oysters filter large amounts of water and concentrate the virus), and person-to-person contact in poor sanitation settings. It is fully preventable with vaccination. As noted in the case of the "fisherman" patient, working with seafood or contaminated water is a classic risk scenario for HAV.
B) Hepatitis B: Bloodborne/sexual transmission — not fecal-oral.
C) Hepatitis C: Bloodborne (IV drug use, transfusions) — not fecal-oral.
D) Hepatitis E: Also fecal-oral (endemic in developing countries) but less commonly tested; HAV is the classic answer for seafood/fecal-oral transmission.
Hepatitis A is transmitted via the fecal-oral route — contaminated water, undercooked shellfish/seafood (clams, oysters filter large amounts of water and concentrate the virus), and person-to-person contact in poor sanitation settings. It is fully preventable with vaccination. As noted in the case of the "fisherman" patient, working with seafood or contaminated water is a classic risk scenario for HAV.
B) Hepatitis B: Bloodborne/sexual transmission — not fecal-oral.
C) Hepatitis C: Bloodborne (IV drug use, transfusions) — not fecal-oral.
D) Hepatitis E: Also fecal-oral (endemic in developing countries) but less commonly tested; HAV is the classic answer for seafood/fecal-oral transmission.
Practice Micro & Immunology questions Micro & Immunology study notes