Info on Hep B

Hepatitis B is found in blood and body fluids including, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk. The most common ways hepatitis B is spread include:

• sexual contact;
• sharing of injecting equipment;
• needle stick injuries in the health care setting; or
• use of unsterile needles.
• sharing personal items such as razors, toothbrushes or nail clippers. 

 Hepatitis B is NOT spread by contaminated food or water, and cannot be spread through casual or social contact such as kissing, sneezing or coughing, hugging or eating food prepared by a person with hepatitis B.

The risk of developing chronic hepatitis B is determined by the age at which a person contracts the virus:

• Most adults who get hepatitis B will be sick for some time and then clear the virus. Approximately 5% will be left with a chronic infection.
• Children who get hepatitis B have a 30% likelihood of developing a chronic infection.
• Of infants who contract the virus, 90% will probably develop chronic hepatitis B.

People who clear the virus will have hepatitis B antibodies and will be immune from hepatitis B.
There is a safe and effective vaccine available for hepatitis B. It is recommended that people living with hepatitis C have this vaccine

 To avoid transmission of hepatitis B:

• consider being vaccinated
• practice safe sex (use condoms, dams and lube);
• learn and practice standard precautions;
• don’t use toothbrushes, razors, needles, syringes  or other injecting equipment that someone else has used.