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
To check your Hepatitis B status visit Booking Portal (healthneutron) or call +233 592 360 072