Hepatitis B
How is Hepatitis B Transmitted?
HBV is a hardy virus and has been detected in blood, sweat, tears, saliva, semen, vaginal secretions, menstrual blood and breast milk. Hepatitis B is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV. Hepatitis B infection is transmitted from person to person in three primary ways:
- Through blood or blood products
- Through sexual contact
- From mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Hepatitis B Information for the Public" http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/B/index.htm Retrieved February 10, 2011
Dolan, Mathew, The Hepatitis Handbook. North Atlantic Books, 1999.
Palmer, MD, Melissa. Dr. Melissa Palmer’s Guide to Hepatitis & Liver Disease. New York: Avery Trade, 2004.