Causes

Hepatitis B is an infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. The virus is found in the blood and bodily fluids of an infected person. Many people with hepatitis B have few symptoms andmay notknow they're infected. They may spread the infection without realising it. Hepatitis B is most often caught in parts of the world where the infection is more common, although certain groups ofpeople are atrisk ofpicking up theinfection in the UK. How hepatitis B is spread Hepatitis B can be spread by: a mother to their newborn baby, particularly in countries where the infection is common all pregnant women in the UK are offered screening forhepatitis B ;babies of infected mothers are vaccinated immediately after birth to help prevent infection injecting drugs and sharing needles and other drug equipment, such as spoons and filters having sex with an infected person without using a condom having a tattoo, Piercing , ormedical or dental treatmentin anunhygienic environment with unsterilised equipment having a blood transfusion in a country where blood isn't tested for hepatitis B all blood donations in the UK are now tested for the infection sharing toothbrushes or razors contaminated with infected blood the skin beingaccidentally punctured by a used needle (needle stick injury) this is mainly a risk for healthcare workers the blood of someone with hepatitis Bgetting into an open wound, cut, or scratch in rare cases, being bitten by someone with hepatitis B can also spread the infection Hepatitis B isn't spreadby kissing,holding hands, hugging, coughing, sneezing, or sharing crockeryand utensils. Who's most at risk of hepatitis B? People at highest risk of hepatitis B include: people born or brought up in a country where the infection is common babies born to mothers infected with hepatitis B people who have ever injected drugs anyone who has had unprotected sex, including anal or oral sex particularly people who've had multiple sexual partners, people who've had sex with someone in or from a high-risk area, men who have sex with men, and commercial sex workers close contacts, such as family members, of someone with long-term (chronic) hepatitis B infection The riskof getting hepatitis B for travellers goingto places where the infection is common is generally considered to be low if the activities mentioned above are avoided. Your GP can arrange for you to have a bloodtest to check for hepatitis B and have the hepatitis B vaccination if you're at a high risk. High-risk areas Hepatitis B isfoundthroughout the world, but isparticularly common in: sub-Saharan Africa east and southeast Asia the Pacific Islands parts of South America southern parts of eastern and central Europe the Middle East the Indian subcontinent Most new cases of hepatitis B in the UK occur in people who caught the infection in one of these areas before moving to the UK.