How can you get hepatitis B

The Hepatitis B virus is present in bodily fluids such as blood, semen and vaginal fuild. It can be passed from person to person in the following ways:

  • Receiving a blood transfusion / blood products / organ transplantation prior to 1991
  • Unprotected sex without a condom. The most at-risk population in Northern Ireland are men that have sex with men, commercial sex workers and those who have multiple sexual partners.
  • Tattoos / piercings/ acupuncture (in unregistered premises or with possibly unsterile equipment or with needles that were not new)
  • Regularly shared razors or toothbrushes (with a person who is known to have hepatitis B or may have been at risk, see risk factors above)
  • Born in a high risk country (Asia, Africa, South America, Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East)
  • Medical or dental procedures in a high risk country (Asia, Africa, South America, Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East)
  • Sharps injury (may have been in connection with job if they work in a healthcare setting)
  • Current  intra-venous(IV) drug use  /  past intra-venous drug(IV) use (including steroids, even once and sharing any injecting equipment) http://duit.ucsd.edu/video.html
  • Current sniffing or smoking cocaine / past sniffing or smoking cocaine (sharing pipes, notes or straws)
  • Contact sports, fights and a human bite (where they may have come in contact with another person’s blood) 

Note: The virus is not passed on during normal social contact, such as holding hands, hugging, or sharing food, cups or crockery and the same toilet.