Risk Factors
As mentioned above, people living in developing countries, as well as areas with poor sanitation standards, stand the highest risk of getting Hepatitis A compared to a people living in Europe, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. High vaccination rates in developed countries also help. In the U.S. for instance, most children are vaccinated when they are 1 or 2 years old.
Most hepatitis A cases in developed countries are associated with individuals who travel to high-risk countries often, homosexual men as well as intravenous drug users (who share needles). Most cases affecting children are reported when children are in childcare or under childcare providers.
