What should you know about hepatitis B exposure?

Hepatitis B can spread when infected blood or certain body fluids enter another person's body, including through a needlestick, shared injection equipment, sexual contact, or contact with an open wound. Everyday contact such as sharing food does not spread it. You may feel completely well after exposure; fatigue or dark urine can occur later, but symptoms cannot confirm infection.

Write down when and how the contact occurred, whether blood was involved, and your hepatitis B vaccination history. Contact a clinic or urgent-care service promptly and explain that hepatitis B exposure is possible. A clinician may recommend baseline and follow-up blood tests, vaccination, or other preventive care. Do not donate blood, share razors or toothbrushes, or have unprotected sex until you have received personal advice.

Seek same-day advice for a needlestick, blood splash to the eyes or mouth, sexual exposure, or a bite that broke the skin, particularly if your vaccination history is uncertain. Get urgent assessment for yellow eyes, dark urine, repeated vomiting, severe abdominal pain, confusion, or collapse. Do not wait for symptoms before asking about prevention.

Ask which tests are needed now and later, whether you need hepatitis B vaccination, whether a liver function test is appropriate, and how to protect people you live with. Mention pregnancy, immune conditions, and any medicines you take.