Sweat can transmit Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B virus could also pass on through the sweat of the infected individuals, while they indulge in contact sports. Bleeding wounds and mucous membranes have already been implicated in hepatitis B transmission during contact sports. Researchers from the Celal Bayar University in Izmir, Turkey, tested for DNA of the hepatitis B virus in blood and sweat samples from 70 male Olympic wrestlers. The results indicated that 9 (13 percent) of the wrestlers had the hepatitis B virus in their blood. However, these were deemed occult infections because no antibodies to the virus were detected in any of the wrestlers. In eight of the nine participants whose blood tested positive, DNA for hepatitis B was also detected in sweat. Based on these results, evidence is emerging that the incidence of occult HBV in Olympic wrestling is higher than expected and that transmission of HBV may also occur through sweat. The advice of sports organisations about HBV testing should be changed, making it obligatory for all participants involved in contact sports and playing under adult rules to be vaccinated against hepatitis B.