Regarding the transmission of the hepatitis viruses, the following statements are TRUE:

• A. False: Hepatitis E is faeco-oral, not mainly blood-borne.
• B. False: Hepatitis C is predominantly blood-borne; it is not mainly spread by the faeco-oral route (that applies to hepatitis A and E).
• C. True
• D. False: Hepatitis B can be transmitted sexually.
• E. True

Transmission of the hepatitis viruses

Knowing the routes of spread underpins prevention.

Routes

Virus	Main routes
A	Faeco-oral (contaminated food/water)
B	Blood/blood products, vertical, sexual, saliva
C	Blood (rarely sexual/vertical)
D	Blood (needs HBV)
E	Faeco-oral (contaminated water)

Key points

• A and E are the faeco-oral (enteric) viruses.
• B, C and D are blood-borne; B is also vertical and sexual.
• Hepatitis C is mainly blood-borne, not faeco-oral.

Statement-by-statement verdict

Why A is false

Hepatitis E is spread by the faeco-oral route, not mainly blood-borne.

Why B is false

Hepatitis C is mainly blood-borne, not faeco-oral.

Why C is true

Hepatitis A is faeco-oral.

Why D is false

Hepatitis B CAN be transmitted sexually.

Why E is true

Hepatitis B is transmitted vertically.