STD Awareness: Hepatitis B Virus and the HBV Vaccine  Hepatitis
B virions are pictured in this transmission electron micrograph.
Image: National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and
TB Prevention.  July 28 is World Hepatitis Day. This month’s
installment of our STD Awareness series will shine the spotlight
on the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which can be transmitted
sexually as well as nonsexually.  Hepatitis viruses infect the
liver. Hepatitis A, B, and C can be transmitted sexually, and
hepatitis B is the most likely to be spread this way. HBV is
present in vaginal fluids, semen, and blood. It is highly
contagious and can be transmitted by most sexual activities,
such as vaginal or anal intercourse, as well as oral sex. HBV
can also be spread by exposure to infected blood, and an HBV-
infected mother can pass the virus onto her infant during birth.
To protect yourself from HBV, make sure to use latex barriers,
such as condoms and dental dams, if you are sexually active.
Also, don’t use unsterilized ne