4. Water Contamination
Consuming contaminated water is another common cause of hepatitis A infection. Bathing in the water previously used by someone with HAV may result in infection with the virus. Never use the same bathwater as another person, and parents should ensure that their children take separate baths to avoid infected kids spreading the virus through the family.
Avoid using public saunas and steam rooms where infected persons may contaminate the facilities. Cold plunge pools at the gym and shower stalls may also present a high risk for contracting HAV. If you do change at the gym, make sure you take along a pair of flip-flops to protect your skin against germs present on the floor of the shower.
Avoid sharing beverages with people that you do not know or have no immediate family relationship. HAV transmits through sharing contaminated fluids, such as slipping on someone else’s bottle of water on a hot day.