Q&A
Q: Can I get hepatitis B through casual contact such as coughing, sneezing, hugging or sharing food?
A: The virus is not typically transmitted casually. The most common ways hepatitis B is transmitted are through unprotected sex, injection drug use or from mother to child at birth.
Q: Is chronic hepatitis B genetic? Is there anything I can do to prevent infection?
A: The condition is NOT genetic and a vaccine is available to prevent infection.
Q: Can I have hepatitis B even if I do not have any symptoms?
A: Many people are in fact infected even though they have no health symptoms. The only way to know for sure is to be tested.
Q: Can I get hepatitis B from unprotected sex?
A: Sexually active adults and teenagers are one of the highest risk groups for infection. A latex condom, if used properly, can reduce the risk of infection.
Q: Will the hepatitis A vaccine also protect me against hepatitis B and vice versa?
A: The hepatitis A vaccine only prevents hepatitis A, and the hepatitis B vaccine only prevents hepatitis B. However, a combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine is available for people aged 18 and older. (There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.)
Q: Can I get hepatitis B or some other chronic illness from the hepatitis B vaccine?
A: You cannot contract hepatitis from the vaccine and there is no confirmed evidence that the vaccine can cause chronic illness.