Which hepatitis viruses are transmitted via the fecal-oral route?

Which hepatitis viruses are transmitted via the fecal-oral route?

• A. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E
• B. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C
• C. Hepatitis D
• D. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B

Answer: (A)

Fecal-oral transmission occurs when viruses shed in feces contaminate food or water that is ingested. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E are classic examples of this route, often linked to contaminated water or undercooked foods and usually presenting as acute infections. In contrast, Hepatitis B and C are mainly spread through blood and body fluids, not by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis D is a defective virus that requires Hepatitis B to replicate, so its transmission mirrors HBV rather than fecal-oral routes. So, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E are the ones transmitted via the fecal-oral pathway.

Fecal-oral transmission occurs when viruses shed in feces contaminate food or water that is ingested. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E are classic examples of this route, often linked to contaminated water or undercooked foods and usually presenting as acute infections. In contrast, Hepatitis B and C are mainly spread through blood and body fluids, not by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis D is a defective virus that requires Hepatitis B to replicate, so its transmission mirrors HBV rather than fecal-oral routes. So, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E are the ones transmitted via the fecal-oral pathway.