There is a significant familial cluster of hepatitis B virus infection, which is most related to mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B. In the absence of maternal and infant blockade, 60% of children born to hepatitis B mothers will be infected with hepatitis B.
In addition, hepatitis B is also thought to be transmitted through close life contact.
For example, some children have hepatitis B infections from their fathers, and there are cousins of hepatitis B who have been infected with hepatitis B because they have played together since childhood. The literature found that these children were not infected by the hepatitis B virus at birth, and their infection was apparently acquired.
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1. Why is hepatitis B transmitted through close life contact?
Life-to-life close-contact transmission of hepatitis B is actually micro-trauma transmission in life. Studies have shown that sharing a water cup does not cause hepatitis B virus transmission, but sharing a toothbrush can lead to hepatitis B virus infection. This is because toothbrushes cause micro-trauma to the gums, which is actually blood-borne.
However, this transmission of micro-trauma from life exposure occurs mainly in young children because their immune systems are not robust enough to effectively resist the invasion of the hepatitis B virus; the probability of micro-trauma infection in adults is very small.
2. Infants can block mother-to-child transmission by vaccinating immunoglobulin + hepatitis B vaccine
Mother-to-child transmission is the most important route of transmission of hepatitis B in mainland China. For children born to hepatitis B mothers, not only is hepatitis B immunoglobulin passively immunized within 24 hours of birth, but also one dose of hepatitis B vaccine is given within 24 hours, 1 month, and 6 months of life for active immunization. 95% of young children who have been vaccinated against immunoglobulin + hepatitis B can block mother-to-child transmission, thus avoiding becoming a baby hepatitis B.
3. Vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine can help prevent hepatitis B
The way family members prevent hepatitis B is by getting the hepatitis B vaccine. Transmission in close contact with family members is completely preventable, both children and adults, as long as they are vaccinated against hepatitis B.
For the spouse of a hepatitis B patient, protective measures must be in place, the spouse of a hepatitis B patient must be vaccinated against hepatitis B, and only if the spouse produces surface antibodies can it be ensured that nothing is lost.
In addition, the families of people infected with hepatitis B do not need to share meals because of hepatitis B, nor do they need to isolate people infected with hepatitis B virus in their homes or disinfect them with disinfectant every day. Because hepatitis B is not transmitted through the digestive tract and not by mosquito bites. The inexplicable fear of hepatitis B in the family can cause a lot of psychological pressure on people infected with hepatitis B virus, which is neither scientific nor humane.
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