Patient guide
How hepatitis B spreads
Knowing how the virus is — and isn't — passed on takes away a lot of worry.
Hepatitis B is carried in blood and certain body fluids. It commonly spreads through:
- From a mother to her baby during birth
- Contact with infected blood — for example, sharing needles or personal items such as razors or toothbrushes
- Unprotected sexual contact
What does not spread hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is not passed on through everyday contact. You cannot give it to someone by:
- Hugging, kissing, or shaking hands
- Sharing food, dishes, or utensils
- Coughing or sneezing
- Breastfeeding, when the recommended precautions are in place
You can safely live, work, cook, and share meals with others. There is no reason to be isolated or excluded because of hepatitis B.
The most helpful thing you can do for the people close to you is to let them know, so they can be tested and offered the hepatitis B vaccine — a safe, highly effective way to protect them. There's more on this in Living well.