Transmission via saliva, tear fluid or breast milk

As in many other body fluids, saliva, tear fluid and breast milk can also contain infectious virus particles. This is particularly probable above a certain concentration of virus particles in the blood, but otherwise cannot be excluded in principle. These body fluids then need an entry port into the body to be infected, which usually consists of microscopic cracks or injuries in the skin or mucous membrane. Anyone who has come into contact with the saliva or other body fluids of a possibly infected person and has not been vaccinated should consider seeing a doctor immediately.

Transmission by blood transfusion

The blood usually contains the relatively highest concentration of virus particles in the body of an infected person. Accordingly, contact with the blood of such a person is a major risk factor. A blood transfusion with the blood or blood product of a hepatitis B-positive person would even bring this highly infectious material directly into the blood of the other person. Because of the high risk of infection during blood transfusions, the blood of the donor is subjected to many different tests. Infection with hepatitis B via transfusion with blood products is therefore highly unlikely.

Probability of transmission

Concrete information on the probability of sexual transmission is hardly possible. There are two main reasons for this: First, the occurrence of virus particles in sexual secretions depends on the number of virus particles in the blood of the infected person. The amount of infectious particles in body fluids varies greatly, as does the clinical picture that is caused.

An infection does not necessarily result in acute, symptomatic hepatitis. Moreover, the incidence of hepatitis B infection has become extremely rare in Europe. Transmission through sexual intercourse has become equally unusual.

Transmission via saliva, tear fluid or breast milk is a less frequent possibility of infection. Many more infections are transmitted via needlestick injuries and during childbirth, as there is direct contact with infectious blood.The route of infection via obtaining a blood product is extremely rare. This is partly due to the thorough tests that the donated blood and the donor himself undergo. In addition, the infected persons usually belong to certain risk groups, which are already excluded before the blood donation by querying certain factors.