Transmission routes for Hepatitis B & C (blood borne viruses)
Unprotected sex, wearing a condom forms a barrier between the condom and
the mouth, vagina or anus. Condoms stop sperm and anything else getting in. Although pubic lice can
still be transmitted as they live in the pubic region.
Mother to child, blood borne viruses can be transmitted from a pregnant woman
to her unborn child during pregnancy (the risk is usually higher the higher the viral load). Viruses can also
be transmitted during childbirth, and some through breast feeding.
Needles and syringes, used needles can have traces of blood on them.
Therefore, sharing or re-using needles can cause the transmission of Hepatitis B & C. Needles are used
for injecting drugs, vaccines, steroids etc…. . Syringes and filters can also have traces of blood on them
and should never be shared or re-used.
Tattooing and piercing, involves breaking of the skin, so there is a
possible route of transmission. Blood borne viruses can be harboured in ink pots used to colour tattoos,
so you insist on new ones. Any form of piercing including acupuncture has the potential to transmit blood
borne viruses. Sharing piercing equipment and jewellery is also a potential risk.
Blood & blood products are screened in the United Kingdom for
HIV, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B so are relatively safe. However, some countries do not have sufficient
screening measures therefore could be potentially being infectious.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis A
Symptoms
Symptoms
Symptoms
Jaundice, fatigue,
abdominal pain, loss of
appetite, joint pain,
diarrhoea, nausea &
vomiting
Jaundice, fatigue, dark urine,
abdominal pain, nausea,
loss of appetite
Jaundice, fatigue, loss of
appetite, fever, nausea,
abdominal pain, diarrhoea
Transmission
Transmission
Transmission
Infected blood or bodily
fluids enter into another
person, e.g. through
unprotected sex, sharing
needles (and other
paraphernalia), mother to
child, tattooing and piercing
When infected blood or
bodily fluid enters into
another person, e.g. through
unprotected sex, sharing
needles (and other
paraphernalia), mother to
child, tattooing and piercing
Is present in the faeces of
people infected with the virus.
Transmission occurs via the
oral-faecal route; usually if
someone has not washed their
hands properly, resulting in
other things becoming
contaminated.
Prevention
Prevention
Prevention
Hepatitis A vaccine,
Immunoglobulin can be
used in the short term to
offer some protection if
exposed to the virus, always
wash hands with soap &
water after going to the
toilet/changing
nappies/before preparing
food
Hepatitis B vaccine
Use condoms (inc use on
sex toys), don’t share
needles etc, use of sterile
needles & equipment for
tattooing/piercing, do not
share razors or tooth
brushes, immunoglobulin
and vaccination of babies
born to infected mothers, do
not donate blood or blood
products, do not donate
breast milk
No vaccine
Do not share needles etc, use
sterile needles for
tattooing/piercing, do not share
razors, do not share tooth
brushes, always use condoms
(including on sex toys), do not
donate blood or blood
products, do not donate breast
milk
Long term
Long term
Long term
It is only an acute infection
(less than 6mths, you can
only have the virus once,
10% of those infected may
experience symptoms for up
to 1yr, it is more serious in
the very young/elderly/those
with an impaired immune
system
Only 10-15% of adults
infected with the virus with
have a long term chronic
infection (there are
treatments available), long
term liver damage can cause
fibrosis and cirrhosis (cell
death and loss of liver
function), 15% of those with
chronic infection will die from
liver disease
85% of adults infected with the
virus with have a chronic
infection, there are treatments
available, long term liver
damage can lead to cirrhosis
and fibrosis (cell death & loss
of liver function), 5% of those
with chronic infection will die of
liver disease