Hepatitis B - How is it spread?

Anything that breaks the skin (graze, open wound) or an accident or medical emergency overseas that requires treatment places people at risk because they may be exposed to the hepatitis B virus living in the environment.³ 

 Seemingly harmless activities such as acupuncture, piercing, pedicures or tattooing increase your chances of being exposed as will unprotected sex with a new partner or needles used in illegal drug use.³

Some individuals who get infected with hepatitis B remain infected for many years, and become carriers (carry the virus without showing any symptoms) of the disease.⁴  Carriers are also capable of spreading the disease.¹