Hepatitis B

Modes of Transmission

Hepatitis B is found in blood, seminal fluids, vaginal secretions, and other body fluids. The virus can be spread by:

• Unprotected sexual contact with an infected person, especially among persons with multiple sex partners or men who have sex with men (MSM)
• Contact with contaminated needles, especially injection drug equipment. Other items such as tattoo and body piercing instruments, razors, and toothbrushes may be contaminated with infected blood
• An infected mother to her infant during delivery
• Household contact with an infected person
• Occupational exposure through accidental needle stick

The hepatitis B virus is not an airborne virus, and is never transmitted through casual contact such as coughing, sneezing, being in the same area as an infected person, or by consuming contaminated food or water.