HBV was discovered by chance in 1964 in the blood of an Australian Aborigine and shown to be a major cause of transfusion-associated hepatitis. The virus is extremely infectious and carriers have high viral loads in blood and body fluids. It spreads by close contact, particularly sexual intercourse, and mother to child, as well as by blood contamination of medical instruments, dental drills, and needles used for injection, and household utensils such as razors, toothbrushes, and by tattooing, body piercing, and acupuncture. Intravenous drug users and gay men are at particular risk of
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