Hepatitis B is the primary form of hepatitis that is widely recognized as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is transmitted through sexual contact via infected blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. Hepatitis B is highly contagious and is considered 50 to 100 times easier to transmit sexually than HIV. Sexual activities such as vaginal, anal, and oral sex can transmit hepatitis B, with anal sex being the highest risk activity. The risk increases with the number of sexual partners and the presence of abrasions or sores in the mouth or genital areas. Hepatitis A can also be transmitted sexually, but in a less conventional way—mainly through fecal-oral contact during sexual practices like oral-anal contact ("rimming"). Hepatitis A is not primarily classified as an STI but can be transmitted during sexual contact that involves fecal exposure. Hepatitis C is not commonly transmitted sexually but can be transmitted if there is blood-to-blood contact during sexual activities, especially if there are genital sores or cuts. The risk is higher in people with multiple sexual partners or those living with HIV. To summarize:
Hepatitis Type| Sexual Transmission| Notes
---|---|---
Hepatitis B| Yes| Transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids; highly
contagious sexually.
Hepatitis A| Possible (via fecal-oral route)| Mainly through oral-anal
contact; not primarily STI.
Hepatitis C| Rare but possible| Only if blood is involved, higher risk with
multiple partners or HIV.
Thus, hepatitis B is the main sexually transmitted hepatitis, with hepatitis A and C having limited or conditional sexual transmission routes.
