Transmission of hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is not a disease transmitted by pure kissing. However, caution is nevertheless required in the case of very close intimate contact. The infection can occur in a fecal-oral way.
This means that traces of fecal excretion of the infected person can lead to infection of another person if the latter picks up these traces through the mouth. This can be the case, for example, if intimate hygiene is inadequate or special sex practices are used. A simple (French) kiss is not included here. The Robert Koch Institute recommends a vaccination against hepatitis A to all people with sexual behaviour that is at high risk of infection. Homosexual men, for example, belong to the risk group.
Is transmission during pregnancy possible?
Infection with the hepatitis A virus is possible during pregnancy as well as in non-pregnant women. However, infection during pregnancy is potentially much more dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. This is due to the fact that the infection can generally be transmitted to the unborn child.
This increases the risk of premature birth or even worse complications for the unborn child. By the way, vaccination against hepatitis A is also possible during pregnancy and should always be given when travelling to areas with a high rate of hepatitis A infection.
