What is hepatitis B?

The virus can enter through broken skin or mucous membranes during sexual contact, shared needle use, some unsterile procedures, or birth. It is not spread by hugging, ordinary conversation, or sharing food. Some people have no symptoms; others may develop tiredness, nausea, yellow eyes, or [Dark Urine](/symptoms/dark-urine/). Persistent [Fatigue](/symptoms/fatigue/) deserves medical review. More detail is available under [Hepatitis B](/conditions/hepatitis-b/).

If you may have been exposed, arrange clinical advice for testing and discuss whether close contacts should be tested. Avoid sharing razors, toothbrushes, or needles, and use sterile equipment for tattoos and piercings. A [Liver Function Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/liver-function-test/) checks aspects of liver health but does not by itself establish every cause of liver inflammation. Ask about [Hepatitis B Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/hepatitis-b-vaccination/) for prevention.

Book a medical review after possible blood or sexual exposure, especially during pregnancy. Seek care for yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, vomiting, or worsening tiredness. Confusion, severe vomiting, or a rapidly deteriorating condition needs urgent assessment.

Ask which blood tests are appropriate, whether vaccination can protect you or your contacts, whether sex or household precautions are needed, and how liver health will be followed.