Question

What causes Hepatitis B and how does it spreads?

Answer 1

Hepatitis B infection is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus is passed from person to person through blood, semen or other body fluids. When HBV enters your liver, it invades the liver cells and multiplies there. This causes inflammation in the liver and leads to the signs and symptoms of hepatitis B infection.

The virus spread from person to person by:

• Unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner whose blood, saliva, semen or vaginal secretions enter your body.
• HBV is easily transmitted through needles and syringes contaminated with infected blood. Sharing intravenous (IV) drug paraphernalia puts you at high risk of hepatitis B.
• Pregnant women infected with HBV can pass the virus to their babies during childbirth.
• Having someone sneeze or cough on you.
• Breastfeeding your child.