Final answer:
Hepatitis B (HBV) can be transmitted from an infected mother to her fetus transplacentally or through exposure to infected breastmilk and saliva, with vertical transmission being a common pathway. Health-care workers and newborns are at higher risk, and vaccination is the main preventative method.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transmission of hepatitis B (HBV) from an infected mother to her fetus can occur through transplacental infection or at birth. Infected mothers can transmit the virus to the fetus, and there is also potential for transmission via breastmilk and saliva after birth. While it is not spread through casual contact, health-care workers and infants are at high risk, with approximately 90% of infected infants becoming chronic carriers. The Hepatitis B vaccine is the primary preventative measure for all, especially newborns and health-care workers.
Vertical transmission is the term used when pathogens, like HBV, are transmitted from a pregnant woman to her embryo, fetus, or infant during or shortly after birth. This form of transmission is a significant concern for infant's health. The Hepatitis B vaccine and appropriate maternal healthcare interventions reduce the risk of perinatal transmission.Hepatitis B is not transmitted through aerosols or droplets and is primarily contracted through exposure to infectious body fluids such as blood and semen.