Hepatitis B Prevention Through Avoiding High-Risk Behaviors
Certain behaviors put a person at risk of contracting hepatitis B. Avoiding these high-risk behaviors is another approach to hepatitis B prevention. Following are some recommendations for avoiding these types of high-risk behaviors:
If you are having sex, but not with one steady partner, use latex condoms correctly every time you have sex. Using condoms may lower your risk of getting hepatitis B.
Don't share toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers, washcloths, or anything else that could have an infected person's blood on it.
Consider the risks if you are thinking about getting a tattoo or body piercing. You might get infected if the tools have someone else's blood on them or if the artist or piercer does not follow good health practices.
If you are a healthcare or public safety worker, get vaccinated against hepatitis B and always follow routine barrier precautions. Handle needles and other sharp objects in a safe manner.
Do not shoot drugs. If you shoot drugs, stop and get into a treatment program. If you can't stop, never share drugs, needles, syringes, water, or "works," and get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.
If exposed to hepatitis B, get a hepatitis B immune globulin injection within 14 days following exposure and begin the hepatitis B vaccine series.
If you are pregnant, get a blood test for hepatitis B. Infants born to infected mothers should be given hepatitis B immune globulin and the first dose of the vaccine within 12 hours after birth.
If you already have hepatitis B, you should:
Not donate blood, organs, or tissue
Make sure your babies get all of their hepatitis B shots, with the last shot being at six months of age.
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