What is hepatitis and hepatitis B?
What is hepatitis and hepatitis B?
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. There are many causes of hepatitis. For example, alcohol excess and several different viruses can cause hepatitis. One virus that causes hepatitis is called the hepatitis B virus. This leaflet is only about hepatitis B. See other leaflets for information about hepatitis A and C which are different and are caused by different viruses.
How common is hepatitis B?
The exact number of people infected is not known. In the UK about 1 in 550 people are thought to have chronic (persistent) hepatitis B infection. Worldwide, it is much more common. For example, in parts of Asia and Africa more than 1 in 10 people have chronic hepatitis B infection.
How can you get hepatitis B?
From mother to baby (sometimes call 'vertical transmission')
Worldwide, the most common way the virus is passed on is from an infected mother to her baby. This usually occurs during childbirth. This is very common in some parts of the world where many people are infected with this virus (but is rare in the UK).
From person to person (sometimes called 'horizontal transmission')
Blood and other bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions and saliva contain the virus in infected people. The main ways in which people in the UK become infected include the following:
- Having unprotected sex with an infected person. (Note: many people with hepatitis B do not realize that they are infected and can pass on the virus during sex.)
- From infected blood. You only need a tiny amount of infected blood to come into contact with a cut or wound on your body to allow the virus to enter your bloodstream, multiply and cause infection. For example:
- Sharing needles to inject drugs. Even a tiny amount of blood left on a needle from an infected person is enough to cause spread to others.
- Some people who had a blood transfusion or another blood product several years ago were infected with hepatitis B. Now, all blood donated in the UK is checked for the hepatitis B virus (and for certain other infections). So, the risk of getting hepatitis B from a blood transfusion is now very small.
- From needlestick accidents where the needle has been used on an infected person.
- There is a small risk of contracting the virus from sharing toothbrushes, razors, and other such items which may be contaminated with blood. Also, from using equipment which is not sterile for dental work, medical procedures, tattooing, body piercing, etc.
- A bite from an infected person, or if their blood spills onto a wound on your skin, or onto your eyes or into your mouth.
The virus is not passed on during normal social contact such as holding hands, hugging, sharing cups or crockery, etc.
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