Occurs when blood or body fluids from an infected person enters the body of a person who is not immune.
HBV is spread through having sex with an infected person without using a condom (the efficacy of latex condoms in preventing infection with HBV is unknown, but their proper use may reduce transmission), sharing needles or "works" when "shooting" drugs, through needlesticks or sharps exposures on the job, or from an infected mother to her baby during birth.
Persons at risk for HBV infection might also be at risk for infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or HIV.
HBV is spread through having sex with an infected person without using a condom (the efficacy of latex condoms in preventing infection with HBV is unknown, but their proper use may reduce transmission), sharing needles or "works" when "shooting" drugs, through needlesticks or sharps exposures on the job, or from an infected mother to her baby during birth.
Persons at risk for HBV infection might also be at risk for infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or HIV.