What contact precautions are useful for hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is spread through infected blood or certain body fluids entering another person’s body. Ordinary social contact, such as sharing meals, hugging, or sitting together, does not spread the virus. The practical concern is blood exposure through sex, shared needles or sharp personal items, and blood entering broken skin or the eyes.

Do not share needles, razors, toothbrushes, nail tools, or anything that may carry blood. Cover open wounds, clean blood spills using suitable protective barriers, and dispose of sharp items safely. Use condoms until a clinician confirms that a partner is protected. Ask close contacts about [Hepatitis B Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/hepatitis-b-vaccination/), and arrange testing through a clinician. A [Liver Function Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/liver-function-test/) may be part of assessment.

Contact a healthcare service promptly after a needlestick, shared needle, sexual exposure, or blood splash to the eyes or mouth. Urgent care is needed for confusion, severe vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or rapidly worsening yellow skin or eyes. [Hepatitis B](/conditions/hepatitis-b/) can also cause fatigue or [Dark Urine](/symptoms/dark-urine/).

Ask whether you need urgent preventive treatment, which contacts should be tested, when vaccination is appropriate, and how long precautions should continue.