Risk Factors
Hepatitis B is an extremely strong virus that can live outside the body for a week or longer. It can be found in the blood, semen and vaginal secretions of infected people, and low concentrations can be found in saliva. The virus is not transmitted casually and cannot be spread through sneezing, coughing, hugging or food or water, but it can be transmitted through:
- Direct blood-to-blood contact
- Unprotected sex
- Unsterile needles
- From an infected mother to her baby during childbirth
- From tattooing, body piercing or acupuncture with infected needles
- Shaving razors, toothbrushes, earrings or other personal items that may come in contact with blood
Depending on their country of origin, 5 to 15 percent of Asian/Pacific Islander (API) immigrants to the United States are hepatitis B carriers. Compounding the problem, vaccination of API children in the United States remains low despite the high availability of the hepatitis B vaccine.
One out of every 20 people in the United States will become infected with hepatitis B at some point during their life. People who are at increased risk for hepatitis B infection include:
- API Americans
- Infants and children of immigrants from areas with high rates of hepatitis B infection
- Sexually active adults and teenagers
- Healthcare and public safety workers
- Injection drug users
- People who get tattoos or body piercings
- Babies born to mothers who are hepatitis B carriers