For the most part, people with hepatitis can infect others. Hepatitis B and C are usually spread from one person to another by direct exposure to infected blood or blood products, and needles or other sharp objects.
Hepatitis B is also frequently spread through sexual contact and from mother to baby at birth. It can even be transmitted by sharing toothbrushes or nail files. A vaccine is available to help protect people against hepatitis B; your physician may recommend that household members be vaccinated.
Hepatitis C is rarely spread sexually, from an infected mother to her newborn, or to other members of the household, At this time, there is no available vaccine.
