3. Food Contamination
Eating or drinking contaminated food and water is a common cause of infection with the hepatitis A virus. Americans infected with this form of hepatitis typically pick up the disease while traveling to foreign destinations in emerging market economies where sanitation and healthcare systems are under pressure.
However, it’s possible to contract HAV in the United States as well. Years of declining infrastructure problems with water supplies, as well as diminishing public health and sanitation services mean that Americans are at a higher risk of developing an HAV infection due to contaminated water or unsanitary public facilities.
Avoid using public restrooms if you are not desperate. These facilities are crawling with bacteria – especially if your local municipality manages them. Using toilets in shopping malls may be safer, but always check that the mall management updates an hourly cleaning log for the restroom. Avoid eating at street-vendors, especially those that offer ketchup bottles and open containers of utensils where customers can use these condiments at their discretion.