Hepatitis B is an inflammatory disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus belongs to the group of hepadna viruses and is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus. The hepatitis B virus is transmitted parenterally (literally: past the intestine), i.e. via blood and other body fluids.
Infections are therefore particularly common in certain risk groups: For example, medical personnel or nursing staff who deal with infected persons have the risk of coming into contact with the blood of sick persons through needlestick injuries and thus becoming infected. Drug addicts who use drugs such as heroin, which must be injected into the blood, and who share injecting equipment also run a high risk of infection. Infection is also possible via other contaminated sharp objects such as piercing devices or tattoo needles.
Infections are therefore particularly common in certain risk groups: For example, medical personnel or nursing staff who deal with infected persons have the risk of coming into contact with the blood of sick people through needle-stick injuries and thus becoming infected. Drug addicts who use drugs such as heroin, which must be injected into the blood, and who share injecting equipment also run a high risk of infection. Infection is also possible via other contaminated sharp objects such as piercing devices or tattoo needles.
Sexual transmission
The hepatitis B virus is found in various body fluids in infected people. These include above all blood, sperm and vaginal secretion. During unprotected sexual intercourse these fluids come into contact with the genital mucous membrane of the partner.
Since the mucous membrane in this area is very well supplied with blood and small tears are very often made during intercourse, the viruses can enter the partner’s bloodstream and infect him. Therefore, sexual intercourse with a person suffering from hepatitis B should be carried out with a condom. Another important point is that the risk of infection increases with the number of viruses in the blood. This is usually very high at the beginning of the infection, which means that the risk of infection reaches its peak in the early stages of the disease.
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