My question is : HOW is this Hbs virus
transmitted ( if at all ). I wonder if it
can be transmitted through sexual contact
be it protected or not, by kissing or by
household items not properly washed.
HBs is not a virus but a virus’s antigen
(HBs-Ag) that serves as a serological
marker for proving infection with
Hepatitis B – virus (HBV). HBs can be
detected in people who have acute
Hepatitis-B or chronic Hepatitis-B and in
people who are virus carriers but who do
not have Hepatitis-B. People who overcame
Hepatitis B do not have HBs in their blood
but only antibodies against HBs.
HBV can be transmitted parenterally which
means the virus should reach your blood.
Such direct contacts are possible during
unprotected sex, using a needle that is
contaminated with infected blood (intra
venous drug abusers or accidentally in the
medical personal), or during pregnancy
from infected mother to fetus. The virus
can neither live long outside human body
nor can it pass through intact skin or
mucosa. This means that you can get
infected when you hold a contaminated
object only if you have a fresh wound on
the hand and if the object is freshly
contaminated by the virus. The same stands
for kissing. If you have cuts or erosions
on the lips or inside the mouth you can
get infected with HBV.
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