How is hepatitis spread?

I just started a new job at a group home and this subject worries me. I was told none of the residents where I'm working have it. At some of the other homes they do have it. How can I avoid this? I wear gloves in there rooms, and wash my hands throughout the day at work.

There are many forms of hepatitis; all are different diseases from the other forms. Each is spread in a different way. Hep A is spread by poor handwashing after a BM, then preparing food. Hep B is spread by sexual contact and blood to blood contact. Hep c is spread by blood to blood contact only.
Long story short, if you use universal precautions and good handwashing, you should be safe. Also, your employer may pay for hep B vaccinations. I would get vaccinated if exposure is a concern. Best wishes.

sex, needle sharing, contact of an open wound. www.hepatitis.com should have a more thorough answer.

through body fluids (blood, semen, spit, vaginal fluids). check it out on google.
best to keep yourself aware of risks of catching / or transmitting the disease

You can get vaccines for Hepatitis A and B.

To prevent Hepatitis C, wear gloves and avoid getting needle sticks.

Transmission varies according to the type of hepatitis virus. In general, hepatitis A is mostly through feces (stools) from infected people. Hepatitis B and C are spread through bodily fluids.

Hepatitis A

The virus that causes hepatitis A (HAV) is found in the stools (feces) of infected people. HAV is usually spread by putting something in your mouth that has infected stools. This can happen by accident, if the object, like an eating utensil, looks clean. Hepatitis A is common in areas where there are poor sanitary or hygienic (cleaning) conditions.

People at-risk of hepatitis A include:

Household contacts of infected people
Sex contacts of infected people
People living and travelling in areas of the world with many cases of the disease
Men who have sex with men
Injecting and non-injecting drug users
Health care or public safety workers
Hepatitis B

Spread of the virus that causes hepatitis B (HBV) occurs when a bodily fluid of an infected person enters the body of an uninfected person. So, HBV spreads by having unprotected sex with an infected person, sharing needles for drugs, steroids, piercing, or tattooing, infected sharps, or from mother to baby during birth.

People at-risk of developing hepatitis B include:

People with multiple sex partners
Men who have sex with men
Sex contacts of infected persons
Injection drug users
Household contacts of chronically infected people
Babies from infected mothers
Health care and public safety workers
Hemodialysis patients
People immigrating from areas of the world with many cases
Persons at-risk of hepatitis B might also be at risk of hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C

Spread of the virus that causes hepatitis C (HCV) occurs when a bodily fluid of an infected person enters the body of an uninfected person. This is similar to the spread of the virus that causes hepatitis B. So, HCV spreads by having unprotected sex with an infected person, sharing needles for drugs, steroids, piercing, or tattooing, infected sharps, or from mother to baby.

People at-risk of hepatitis C include:

Injecting drug users
Hemodialysis patients
Recipients of blood and/or organs before 1992
People with undiagnosed liver problems
Babies born from infected mothers
Health care and public safety workers
People having sex with multiple sexual partners
People having sex with an infected partner

check it out.

http://www.travelsafely.com/?banner_s=19...

Hepatitis B & C can be spread through needle sticks and blood. You shouldn't be in danger with just casual contact, or even with giving baths. It is always necessary to wear gloves when in contact with body fluids or anything questionable. And you should wash your hands frequently, so it's good you do that too. As long as you use universal precautions you shouldn't have anything to worry about.