From the Guidelines
Hepatitis B is most commonly contracted through sexual contact, percutaneous exposure to infectious body fluids, perinatal exposure to an infected mother, and prolonged, close personal contact with an infected person. The virus can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen, or other body fluids, with the highest concentrations of the virus found in blood 1. According to the study published in MMWR Recommendations and Reports in 2008 1, the primary routes of HBV transmission include:
- Sexual contact with an infected person
- Percutaneous exposure to infectious body fluids, such as through needle sharing by IDUs or needlestick injuries in health-care settings
- Perinatal exposure to an infected mother
- Prolonged, close personal contact with an infected person, such as via contact with exudates from dermatologic lesions, contact with contaminated surfaces, or sharing toothbrushes or razors. It is worth noting that HBV remains viable and infectious in the environment for at least 7 days and can be present in high concentrations on inanimate objects, even in the absence of visible blood 1. However, there is no evidence of transmission of HBV by casual contact in the workplace, and transmission occurs rarely in childcare settings 1.
The virus can also be transmitted through sharing personal items that may have blood on them, such as razors or toothbrushes, and receiving unscreened blood transfusions or medical procedures with contaminated equipment. Prevention methods include vaccination, practicing safe sex, not sharing needles, and using standard precautions in healthcare settings. It is essential to prioritize these prevention methods to reduce the risk of HBV transmission, as the virus can have severe consequences on morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.
From the Research
Common Ways to Contract Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can be spread through various means, including:
- Blood and bodily fluids
- Mother to child during birth
- Sexual contact
- Sharing needles or syringes
- Unprotected sex with an infected person
- Exposure to infected blood or bodily fluids through cuts or open sores There are no research papers provided that directly discuss the most common ways to contract Hepatitis B 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The provided studies focus on the treatment and management of chronic hepatitis B infection, rather than the modes of transmission.