Transmission
Hepatitis B virus can be found in the blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and other body fluids of infected people. Transmission happens when infected body fluids enter another person’s body. The virus is most commonly transmitted in the following ways:
- Sex with an infected partner
- Contact with the blood of an infected person
- Sharing of needles, syringes, razors, or toothbrushes with an infected person
- Mother-to-child transmission during childbirth
Hepatitis B is not transmitted through shaking hands, coughing, sneezing, breastfeeding, or sharing cups and utensils.