Those with immune system disorders and the elderly may also be more at risk. What is the health and age of the person who comes in contact with hepatitis B infected body fluids? Babies and young children with underdeveloped immune systems are particularly vulnerable.What is the viral load of the person infected with hepatitis B? Remember it may change over time, so the infected person needs to be regularly monitored to get a clear idea of the hep B status.There are a few things to keep in mind with all hepatitis B transmission: Add even trace amounts of blood to these other fluids and the risk of transmission may increase significantly.Įveryone is clear about the gaping wounds and blood-to-blood contact, right? The problems are with the less obvious – the tiny, barely observable breaks in our skin, contact with a mucous membrane, or contact with other body fluids that may make a person vulnerable to hepatitis B infection This is where logic and common sense are important because there are no hard data out there. These fluids include semen, vaginal fluid, saliva, sweat, tears, urine, and breast milk. HBV is present in other body fluids, but in much lower concentrations. Fortunately hepatitis B is vaccine preventable.īlood and serum in particular are the most infectious, and the concentration of the virus or viral titers will be highest in these body fluids. It is 50-100 times more infectious than HIV and more infectious than hepatitis C. Hepatitis B is a tenacious virus that can live outside the body for a good week. This includes anything from direct contact with an open, gaping wound to something as subtle as trace amounts of blood making direct contact with tiny, open breaks in the skin, or contact with mucous membranes. Direct contact means blood-to-blood, or sexual fluids to an opening in the skin or mucous membrane. Hepatitis B is transmitted through direct contact with blood and sexual fluids. If your partners are not vaccinated, it is essential you practice safe sex using a latex or polyurethane condom to help prevent transmission. You can also consider confirming protection with a blood test called an anti-HBs titer, run 1-2 months after the last shot of the HBV vaccine series. If you have an hepatitis B infection, make sure your sexual partners and close household contacts are protected through vaccination. You should be vaccinated to protect against hepatitis B unless you are allergic to the vaccine, have a health condition that prevents you from being vaccinated, or if you have a current or previously resolved HBV infection (Talk to your doctor if you have questions.) Hepatitis B is a vaccine preventable disease. Lets get something straight before we delve into the details. There are “shades of gray” when it comes to hepatitis B transmission and the degree of risk with sexual activity. All pun and a little fun is intended with this title, but the “adult” version of hepatitis B transmission is a serious concern.
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