Hepatitis B is a viral infection that’s spread through blood or other bodily fluids, including semen or vaginal fluids.

Some of the ways that hepatitis B can be spread include:

• Having unprotected sexual relation with a person who has the Hepatitis B virus.
• Sharing personal items such as toothbrushes, razors, or nail clippers that have been exposed to blood.
• If the equipment used for body piercing and tattoo are not sterilized, this can cause Hepatitis B infection.
• Blood transfusion: if the blood transfused is not properly screened for the Hepatitis B virus, a recipient of that blood can be infected.
• Injecting drugs and sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment can put the person at high risk of being infected with the hepatitis B virus.
• Children born by mothers who are chronically infected with Hepatitis B

Although the virus may be found in the saliva, hepatitis B is not spread through kissing, sneezing, coughing, or sharing utensils.

Anyone can get hepatitis B, but these group of people are at greater risk of contracting the virus:

• Healthcare workers such as nurses, doctors, etc.
• People who use injection drugs
• Infants born to parents who have Hepatitis B Virus
• Sexual partners of people with Hepatitis B Virus
• Individuals receiving dialysis for kidney disease