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& health for all employees  Start of main content  Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a virus that spreads through the blood and bodily
fluids of an infected person. Many people do not even realise
they have been infected with the virus. This is because symptoms
may not develop immediately, or at all.  The incubation period
(time from coming into contact with the virus to developing the
infection) is between one and six months. A blood test is
carried out to detect the virus.  The virus is present in body
fluids such as blood, saliva and semen. It can be passed from
person to person through unprotected sex (without using a
condom) or by sharing needles to inject drugs. Infected mothers
can also transmit the virus to their baby during childbirth.
Many people do not have any symptoms if they contract hepatitis
B, although they can still pass the virus on to others. Other
people will have some symptoms similar to those of hepatitis A.
Common symptoms inc