What are the Causes of Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is caused by a virus called the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is transmitted through infected blood and other body fluids like seminal fluid, vaginal secretions, breast milk, tears, saliva and open sores.
This can happen through direct blood-to-blood contact, unprotected sex or illicit drug use. The other common mode of transmission is from hepatitis B infected mothers to the fetus prior to birth.
People who may be at risk for developing hepatitis B-
- Healthcare workers
- People who share personal items such as toothbrush, razor and nail clippers with an infected person.
- Living in the same household with an infected person.
- Indulging in sex with a carrier or chronically infected person.
- People who have more than one sex partner.
- People who work or are incarcerated in a prison.
- Traveling to countries with a high incidence of hepatitis B.
- People who get tattoos made or have their ear or body pierced.
- Intravenous drug users who share needles and syringes are at extremely high risk.
