Did you know that hepatitis B is also a sexually transmitted disease?

In the eyes of the public, STDs are diseases such as gonorrhea and syphilis. But in fact, they are just the tip of the iceberg of STDs. AIDS, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and even hepatitis B are all STDs.

Image source: Wikipedia

01 How HBV is transmitted

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is transmitted through contact with infectious blood or body fluids containing blood. HBV is 50 to 100 times more contagious than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Image source: Wikipedia

HBV can be transmitted through a variety of infection routes.

In vertical transmission, HBV can be passed from mother to child during delivery. Without intervention, HBsAg-positive mothers have a 90% risk of transmitting the infection to their offspring during delivery. Breastfeeding does not appear to contribute to mother-to-child transmission of HBV when appropriate immunoprophylaxis is taken.

Early horizontal transmission can occur through bites, lesions, certain hygiene habits, or contact with saliva or secretions containing HBV; while horizontal transmission in adults occurs through sexual contact, blood transfusion and infusion of other human blood products, and reuse of contaminated needles and syringes.

02 Sexual transmission of hepatitis virus

As we all know, there is more than one type of hepatitis virus, hepatitis B virus. As far as we know, there are at least hepatitis A, C, D, etc.

Heterosexual sexual relations can easily spread hepatitis B, but are less likely to spread hepatitis C or hepatitis D, and there is no evidence that hepatitis A can be transmitted sexually; however, male homosexual relations may cause the transmission of hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D under certain conditions.

Therefore, male homosexual behavior is not only a high-risk behavior that may lead to HIV infection, but also a high-risk behavior that may cause the spread of hepatitis.

03 Hepatitis virus co-infection

Because HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) have similar modes of transmission, HBV and HCV can be co-infected. Co-infection with these two viruses can cause more severe liver disease and increase the risk of primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma).
HBV can also be co-infected with HIV. Since the development and use of antiretroviral therapy, HBV infection has been one of the leading causes of hospitalization and death in HIV patients.

Given the wide variety of STDs, many of which can pose a serious threat to your health, it's wise to stay away from them.