Transmission

Parenteral Transmission- One of the major modes of transmission for HBV this occurs through blood transfusions or blood products. A blood-borne virus, HBV surface antigens as well as the viral DNA can use blood as a vehicle for spread.

Perinatal and Postnatal Transmisson- This type of transmission includes bodily fluids such as breast milk and maternal saliva. It also includes mothers who pass the virus on to their children in or during pregnancy (perinatal transmission), resulting in a 90% of HBV carriers transmitting the chronic disease to their infants.

Contact-Associated- High sexual activity, working in an environment with high levels of HBV, and sharing dirty syringes can all increase ones chances of contracting HBV. Thus sexually promiscuous people, IV drug users, and health care workers are at high risk.

Prevention

Vaccines against hepatitis B were introduced in the early 80s and babies were all vaccinated.

Picture Extracted From:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonypics/3022530281/


References

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/medical/herpesviridae.htm

http://www.virology.net/Big_Virology/BVDNAherpes.html