Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTransmissionRiskSymptomsTestingPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Transmission
Risk
Symptoms
Testing
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Hepatitis Bis a contagious viral liver disease. An estimated 1.2 million Americans have hepatitis B, and many of them aren’t aware that they’re infected. The virus is spread through contact with infected bodily fluids, especially blood, semen, and vaginal fluids.
Continue reading to learn more abouthepatitis B transmissionand symptoms, and who is at risk for the infection.
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Hepatitis B Transmission
Hepatitis B is contracted after a person comes into contact with bodily fluids from someone who already has the infection. While it’s theoretically possible for any bodily fluids to transmit hepatitis B, it’s most commonly spread via blood. You’re unlikely to get hepatitis B from tears, sweat, urine, or stool.There is also a risk for contracting hepatitis B from saliva, vaginal fluids during sex, menstrual blood, and semen.
How You Can Get Hepatitis B
You can’t contract hepatitis B from casual contact, including:
What Is the Risk?
Because universal vaccination of newborns has been recommended since 1991, rates of Hepatitis B in the United States have been going down.But certain groups are still at higher risk, including:
Hepatitis B Symptoms
Oftentimes, people with hepatitis B don’t have symptoms. This is especially true for infants and kids under age 5. However, if you do experience symptoms, they may include:
Get ScreenedSince many people with hepatitis B have no symptoms, you should get tested if you believe you may have been exposed to the virus.
Get Screened
Since many people with hepatitis B have no symptoms, you should get tested if you believe you may have been exposed to the virus.
How to Get Tested
Preventing the Spread
If you are in a high-risk group, you should take additional precautions, including:
Summary
Hepatitis B is a virus that can lead to liver disease. You can get hepatitis B if you come into contact with the bodily fluids from someone who is already infected—especially their blood. If you are living with or having sex with someone with hepatitis B, take precautions like using condoms and dental dams and not sharing razors, nail clippers, or toothbrushes. Anyone can receive the hepatitis B vaccination, which prevents 95%–100% of infections.
A Word From Verywell
One of the best ways to protect yourself from hepatitis B is to get vaccinated. If you aren’t sure if you’ve already been vaccinated, ask your healthcare provider, who can let you know the benefits of the vaccine, even if you’ve gotten it before.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHepatitis B is most often spread through contact with blood, which can happen during sex or when drug users share needles. Hepatitis B can also be passed to infants during childbirth.Some people never experience symptoms of hepatitis B.That’s why it’s important to get tested if you think you may have been exposed to the virus.No, you can’t contract hepatitis B from a toilet seat. You also can’t catch it from touching doorknobs, hugging, or other types of casual contact.
Hepatitis B is most often spread through contact with blood, which can happen during sex or when drug users share needles. Hepatitis B can also be passed to infants during childbirth.
Some people never experience symptoms of hepatitis B.That’s why it’s important to get tested if you think you may have been exposed to the virus.
No, you can’t contract hepatitis B from a toilet seat. You also can’t catch it from touching doorknobs, hugging, or other types of casual contact.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B: Are you at risk?Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.Hepatitis B.World Health Organization.Hepatitis B.Hepatitis B Foundation.Transmission of hepatitis B.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevalence and trends in hepatitis B virus infection in the United States, 2015–2018.MedlinePlus.Hepatitis B.Planned Parenthood.Should I get tested for hep b?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B Questions and Answers for Health Professionals.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B: Are you at risk?Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.Hepatitis B.World Health Organization.Hepatitis B.Hepatitis B Foundation.Transmission of hepatitis B.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevalence and trends in hepatitis B virus infection in the United States, 2015–2018.MedlinePlus.Hepatitis B.Planned Parenthood.Should I get tested for hep b?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B Questions and Answers for Health Professionals.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B: Are you at risk?Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.Hepatitis B.World Health Organization.Hepatitis B.Hepatitis B Foundation.Transmission of hepatitis B.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevalence and trends in hepatitis B virus infection in the United States, 2015–2018.MedlinePlus.Hepatitis B.Planned Parenthood.Should I get tested for hep b?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B Questions and Answers for Health Professionals.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B: Are you at risk?
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.Hepatitis B.
World Health Organization.Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B Foundation.Transmission of hepatitis B.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevalence and trends in hepatitis B virus infection in the United States, 2015–2018.
MedlinePlus.Hepatitis B.
Planned Parenthood.Should I get tested for hep b?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B vaccination.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis B Questions and Answers for Health Professionals.
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