Causes of Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus. It can spread between people by contact with an infected person’s blood or other body fluids, for example, semen or vaginal fluid. The virus can survive outside your body for up to seven days. During that time, the virus can still cause infection if it enters the body of a person who isn’t immune. The hepatitis B virus can be spread:
-- by having unprotected sex
-- through an open wound
-- from mother to baby (usually during childbirth)
-- through sharing contaminated needles and syringes to inject drugs
-- from contaminated tattooing equipment that isn't sterilised properly
-- through sharing razors or toothbrushes that are contaminated with small amounts of infected blood
-- by receiving blood from an infected donor in countries where blood isn't tested (in the UK all blood donations are tested for hepatitis B)