Hepatitis B is transmitted primarily through contact with infected body fluids such as blood, saliva, vaginal fluids, and semen. It can spread in several key ways:
- From mother to newborn during childbirth (perinatal transmission)
- Sexual contact, especially unprotected sex with an infected person
- Exposure to infected blood via needlestick injuries, sharing needles or syringes, tattooing, piercing, and other medical or dental procedures with contaminated equipment
- Sharing sharp objects like razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers with an infected person
It is not spread through casual contact like hugging, coughing, sneezing, or sharing eating utensils. Transmission through saliva without blood exposure is uncommon but possible if there are open wounds or mucosal contact. Hepatitis B is more commonly transmitted in early childhood in high prevalence areas, often leading to chronic infection if contracted young. In adults, sexual transmission and sharing needles are more common modes.
