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Hepatitis B (cont.)

Hepatitis B Causes

  • The hepatitis B virus is known as a blood-borne virus because it is transmitted from one person to another via blood.

    • Semen and saliva, which contain small amounts of blood, also carry the virus.
    • The virus can be transmitted whenever any of these bodily fluids come in contact with the broken skin or a mucous membrane (in the mouth, genital organs, or rectum) of an uninfected person.

  • People who are at increased risk of being infected with the hepatitis B virus include the following:

    • Men or women who have multiple sex partners, especially if they don't use a condom
    • Men who have sex with men
    • Men or women who have sex with a person infected with HBV
    • People with other sexually transmitted diseases
    • People who inject drugs with shared needles
    • People who receive transfusions of blood or blood products
    • People who undergo dialysis for kidney disease
    • Institutionalized mentally handicapped people and their attendants and family members
    • Health care workers who are stuck with needles or other sharp instruments contaminated with infected blood
    • Infants born to infected mothers

  • In some cases, the source of transmission is never known.

  • The younger you are when you become infected with the hepatitis B virus, the more likely you are to develop chronic hepatitis B. The rates of progression to chronic hepatitis B are as follows:

    • 90% of infants infected at birth
    • 30% of children infected at age 1-5 years
    • 6% of people infected after age 5 years
    • 5-10% of infected adults

  • You cannot get hepatitis B from the following activities:

    • Being sneezed or coughed on
    • Hugging
    • Handshaking
    • Breastfeeding
    • Eating food or drinking water
    • Casual contact (such as an office or social setting)


Next: Hepatitis B Symptoms »

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Hepatitis B »

In 1965, Blumberg et al reported the discovery of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), also known as Australia antigen, and its antibody, hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb).

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