How could I get hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B spreads by contact with an infected person's blood, semen, or other body fluid.

You could get hepatitis B by

• having sex with an infected person without using a condom
  
  
• sharing drug needles
  
  
• having a tattoo or body piercing done with dirty tools that were used on someone else
  
  
• getting pricked with a needle that has infected blood on it (health care workers can get hepatitis B this way)
  
  
• living with someone who has hepatitis B
  
  
• sharing a toothbrush or razor with an infected person
  
  
• traveling to countries where hepatitis B is common

An infected woman can give hepatitis B to her baby at birth or through her breast milk.

You can NOT get hepatitis B by

• shaking hands with an infected person
  
  
• hugging an infected person
  
  
• sitting next to an infected person

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepb_ez/index.htm