A client diagnosed with hepatitis B asks the nurse how the virus is transmitted. Which of the following is the correct response?

  • by infectious blood or needles
  • by infectious blood, sexual contact, and needles, and from mother to newborn
  • by contaminated food and water
  • by contaminated water only
Number 2 is correct.
Hepatitis B is transmitted via infectious blood, dirty needles, and sexual contact, and from mother to newborn. Hepatitis C is most commonly spread by infectious blood and needles. Contaminated food and water can transmit hepatitis A, while hepatitis E is transmitted only by contaminated water.