Hepatitis B (acute and chronic infections)

Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that can range from mild to severe illness. Hepatitis B (HBV) is contagious and spreads through infected blood and body fluids. It only takes a very tiny amount of HBV to infect someone and it can live on surfaces for weeks and even months. This means it can be spread casually, such as by sharing a toothbrush. The majority of people who have HBV don’t know they have it, but they can still pass it to others. Vaccination is the best way to prevent it. 

What makes you at higher risk for hepatitis B 

There is more risk of developing hepatitis B if you: 

• were born to a parent with hepatitis B 
• had unprotected sex 
• share injection drug equipment 
• share personal hygiene items (like razors, nail clippers, or toothbrushes) 
• live in a household with someone who has hepatitis B.   

Find out if you have hepatitis B 

You can get tested for hepatitis B. If you find out that you have hepatitis B, you can get treatment and also take steps to prevent it from spreading to family members and others who are close to you. Doctors routinely test anyone who is pregnant for hepatitis B. Family members who have never had hepatitis B can get a vaccine to protect them.

For more resources about hepatitis B, including some translated flyers and posters, visit Hepatitis B Public Resources.