Transmission of hepatitis B

The hepatitis B virus is passed on when body fluids, like blood, semen, saliva, or vaginal fluid, from someone with hepatitis B enter the body of another person. Even amounts too small to be seen can transmit the virus.

You can get hepatitis B

at birth, from a mother with hepatitis B to her baby.
when blood from an infected person touches an open wound (sores, cuts) of another person.
during vaginal or anal sex without a condom.
through traditional or cultural practices that may involve blood e.g., tattoos, body piercing, acupuncture.
through injections, medical and dental procedures in countries where the equipment is not sterilised (cleaned) properly. In Australia, these are safe.
by sharing personal items that may have blood on them, like toothbrushes razors or intimate products.
by sharing equipment used for injecting drugs.