Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a highly infectious virus which can lead to severe illness, liver damage and, in some cases, even death. Each year in the United States, more than 80,000 people become infected with hepatitis B, approximately 5,000 people die of liver failure and another 1,500 die of liver cancer related to hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is the most common cause of liver cancer in the world.

Hepatitis B virus can be passed from one person to another through exchanged blood and other body fluids, such as with sexual intercourse or by sharing needles to inject drugs. The hepatitis B virus is found in an infected person's blood, semen, vaginal fluids and other body fluids. Pregnant women who are infected with hepatitis B virus may transmit the disease to their infants. It may be spread from an infected person to another person in the following ways:

• Unprotected sex (without using a condom)
• During birth from mother to child
• Contact with blood or open sores of an infected person
• Pre-chewing food for babies or sharing chewing gum
• Using non-sterile needles in ear piercing, IV drug use, tattooing, or acupuncture

Hepatitis B infection is NOT spread by:

• Casual contact, like holding hands
• Eating food prepared by a carrier of the virus
• Kissing on the cheek or dry lip kissing
• Sharing silverware, plates or cups
• Visiting an infected person’s home
• Playing with a child who is a carrier of the virus
• Sneezing or coughing