How is hepatitis B (HBV) spread?

How is hepatitis B (HBV) spread?

• A. Direct contact with an infected person, especially with the person’s wounds or stool.
• B. Through droplets in the air from coughing.
• C. Sexual contact, by sharing needles with an infected person, from a mother to her baby during delivery, and through improperly sterilized needles and grooming supplies.
• D. Eating contaminated food.

Answer: (C)

HBV spreads through blood and certain body fluids, not by coughing in the air, not by eating contaminated food, and not through casual contact. The best description of transmission includes sexual contact (semen and vaginal fluids can carry the virus), sharing needles or other equipment that breaks the skin and involves infected blood, transmission from mother to baby during delivery, and using improperly sterilized needles or grooming tools that can transfer infected blood. These routes involve direct exchange of blood or fluids in which the virus lives. Prevention hinges on vaccination and safe practices—protected sex, never sharing needles, and proper sterilization of instruments. Airborne droplets and foodborne routes are not how HBV is spread, and casual contact with others or touching stool is not a transmission pathway for this virus.

HBV spreads through blood and certain body fluids, not by coughing in the air, not by eating contaminated food, and not through casual contact. The best description of transmission includes sexual contact (semen and vaginal fluids can carry the virus), sharing needles or other equipment that breaks the skin and involves infected blood, transmission from mother to baby during delivery, and using improperly sterilized needles or grooming tools that can transfer infected blood. These routes involve direct exchange of blood or fluids in which the virus lives. Prevention hinges on vaccination and safe practices—protected sex, never sharing needles, and proper sterilization of instruments. Airborne droplets and foodborne routes are not how HBV is spread, and casual contact with others or touching stool is not a transmission pathway for this virus.