how do you get hepatitis b

 how do you get hepatitis b

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be transmitted from an infected person to an uninfected person through contact with bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or saliva. Here are some ways in which hepatitis B can be transmitted:

Sexual contact: Hepatitis B can be spread through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex. The virus can enter the body through small tears or abrasions in the skin or mucous membranes.

Injection drug use: Sharing needles or other injection equipment, such as syringes or cookers, with an infected person can also transmit hepatitis B. The virus can be present in blood or other bodily fluids and can be spread through sharing of contaminated injection equipment.

Mother-to-child transmission: Pregnant women who are infected with hepatitis B can transmit the virus to their babies during childbirth. It is important for pregnant women to be tested for hepatitis B and, if positive, to receive appropriate medical care to prevent transmission to their newborns.

Occupational exposure: Healthcare workers, emergency responders, and others who may come into contact with blood or bodily fluids may be at risk of hepatitis B infection through accidental needle sticks or other workplace exposure.

Close personal contact: Hepatitis B can also be transmitted through close personal contact with an infected person, such as sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes, or through exposure to infected blood or open sores.

Prevention of Hepatitis B:

The best way to prevent hepatitis B is to get vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective, and is typically given as a series of three shots. Other prevention measures include practicing safe sex, not sharing injection equipment, and avoiding contact with blood or bodily fluids from an infected person. People who are at high risk of hepatitis B infection, such as healthcare workers and people with multiple sex partners or who use injection drugs, should be tested for hepatitis B and receive appropriate medical care if infected. Additionally, infants born to mothers with hepatitis B should receive the hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin shortly after birth to prevent transmission.

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