What should you know about bloodborne hepatitis B?

Transmission can occur through shared needles or equipment, unsterile tattooing or piercing tools, sexual contact, or contact with blood during birth. The virus is not spread by ordinary conversation, sharing meals, hugging, or sitting near someone. A person can carry hepatitis B without feeling ill, so appearance does not show whether transmission is possible. Testing and vaccination help clarify and reduce risk.

Do not share needles, razors, toothbrushes, or nail tools. Cover cuts, clean blood spills safely, and use properly sterilised equipment for medical, cosmetic, tattoo, or piercing procedures. Use barrier protection during sex until a clinician confirms protection or explains the next step. Household and sexual contacts may need testing and [Hepatitis B Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/hepatitis-b-vaccination/).

Contact a healthcare service promptly after a needlestick, shared injection equipment, unprotected sexual contact, or blood entering an eye, mouth, or broken skin. Preventive treatment may be time-sensitive. Seek medical assessment for yellow eyes, [Dark Urine](/symptoms/dark-urine/), unusual tiredness, nausea, or pain in the upper abdomen; urgent care is needed for confusion or severe illness.

Ask whether the exposure needs urgent preventive care, which blood tests are appropriate, and when testing should be repeated. Ask which contacts should be tested or vaccinated and how to protect others while results are pending.