How is hepatitis B primarily transmitted?

Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through contact with contaminated blood serum, which includes several routes of exposure. This can occur through activities such as sharing needles, unprotected sexual contact, or exposure to blood through open cuts or wounds. The virus is highly infectious and can survive outside the body for up to a week, making it critical to handle situations involving potential blood exposure with care.

Other modes of transmission, such as airborne droplets or contaminated food and water, are not relevant to hepatitis B, as this virus does not spread through the respiratory route or via gastrointestinal pathways. Additionally, insects do not play a role in the transmission of hepatitis B, as the virus does not utilize vectors such as mosquitoes or ticks to spread. Thus, knowing that contact with contaminated blood serum is the primary transmission route highlights the importance of safe practices in medical and personal care settings to prevent the spread of this virus.