What is important for preventing the spread of viruses like Hepatitis A?

Practicing good personal hygiene is crucial for preventing the spread of viruses like Hepatitis A. This virus is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route, meaning it often spreads when food or water becomes contaminated with feces from an infected person. Good personal hygiene includes regular handwashing with soap and water, especially after using the restroom, before preparing food, and before eating. This practice significantly reduces the risk of transferring pathogens from hands to food.

Using gloves when handling food can be helpful, but it does not replace the necessity of handwashing. If hands are contaminated, gloves can also become contaminated. Cooking food to high temperatures is effective for killing many pathogens, but it does not prevent the contamination of food before it is cooked, especially with viruses like Hepatitis A. Storing food at proper temperatures helps prevent the growth of bacteria but does not address viral contamination that occurs during preparation. Thus, personal hygiene directly influences infection control for viruses such as Hepatitis A.