AEMCA Practice Exam

What causes hepatitis A?

1. Inhalation of contaminated air

2. Consumption of poorly cooked food

3. Exposure to an infected person's fecal matter

4. Direct contact with infected bodily fluids

The correct answer is: Exposure to an infected person's fecal matter

Hepatitis A is primarily caused by the ingestion of the virus, which is typically found in the feces of an infected person. The virus is often transmitted when an uninfected person consumes food or water that has been contaminated with fecal matter. This method of transmission is particularly common in areas with poor sanitation or where personal hygiene practices may be inadequate. Factors that make option C the correct choice include the nature of the virus itself, which is a fecal-oral virus. This means that the virus spreads when hands, food, or surfaces contaminated with fecal matter are consumed by someone who is not infected. Understanding this mode of transmission emphasizes the importance of good personal hygiene and safe food handling practices in preventing the spread of hepatitis A. The other choices relate to different modes of transmission that do not involve the fecal-oral route, which is specific to hepatitis A. Therefore, it's crucial to recognize the unique transmission pathway of this virus to prevent infection effectively.