How does hepatitis B spread?

Transmission can occur through sex, shared needles or equipment that breaks the skin, contact with infected blood, and from an infected mother to her baby around birth. Unsterile tattooing, piercing, or medical equipment can also carry risk. Hepatitis B is not spread by ordinary hugging, sharing food, coughing, or sitting nearby. A person may have no symptoms and still pass the virus, so appearance is not a reliable guide.

Use new or sterile equipment for injections, tattoos, piercings, and procedures. Do not share razors, toothbrushes, needles, glucose-testing equipment, or other items that may carry blood. Cover open cuts and clean blood spills safely. Condoms can reduce sexual exposure, while vaccination offers protection for people who are not infected. If a recent blood or sexual exposure has occurred, contact a healthcare service promptly for advice about testing and prevention.

Seek prompt medical advice after a possible exposure, particularly if the source is known to have hepatitis B or if pregnancy is involved. Get urgent care for yellow eyes or skin, severe vomiting, confusion, unusual bleeding, or a rapidly swollen abdomen. Dark urine and worsening fatigue also warrant clinical assessment.

Ask whether your exposure calls for hepatitis B testing, vaccination, or immediate preventive treatment. Discuss testing for household and sexual contacts, how long to use extra precautions, and which symptoms should trigger urgent review. A liver function test may be part of your assessment.