Hepatitis caused by certain viral infections such as hepatitis A virus and hepatitis E virus may be transmitted through bowls; hepatitis caused by hepatitis B is generally not transmitted through bowls. Hepatitis A virus and Hepatitis E virus can be transmitted through the digestive tract. If the dishes used by patients suffering from Hepatitis A or Hepatitis E are not thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, so that the virus remains on the bowls, susceptible persons may be infected with the virus when they touch the bowls with virus residue. People who have not suffered from hepatitis A or E are generally susceptible to these two viruses, and it is possible to contract the disease through the digestive tract. Hepatitis B virus is usually transmitted by the digestive tract in rare cases. To avoid viral infection, families with hepatitis patients are advised to practise meal sharing to effectively avoid transmission of the virus.