How is hepatitis B primarily transmitted?

Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids. This includes blood, semen, and other bodily fluids from an infected individual. The virus can enter the body through mucous membranes or break in the skin, which often occurs during practices such as unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing needles, or from mother to child during childbirth.

Understanding the primary method of transmission is crucial for implementing effective preventive measures, such as vaccination, safe sex practices, and safe handling of needles. Other transmission methods, such as contaminated food or respiratory droplets, do not apply to hepatitis B, as the virus is not spread in these ways. Insect bites also do not play a role in the transmission of hepatitis B, confirming that body fluids are the main concern for infection spread.