MYTH: You can get hepatitis from toilet seats.

Hepatitis C is transmitted only by blood-to-bloodstream contact. Hepatitis B is transmitted by blood and sexual fluids. Neither is transmitted by sharing toilets.

Hepatitis A is transmitted via faecal-oral route but unless you plan on licking the toilet seat, or don’t wash your hands after toileting and before handling food, it is unlikely that you will get hepatitis A from sharing toilet seats.

MYTH: Watch out who you share your laundry with. You can get hepatitis from doing your washing in the same load.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses are not found on clothing through normal skin contact. It is safe to wash clothes in the same load as someone with hepatitis, even if they are blood stained.

MYTH: Beware of sweaty equipment at the gym. You may catch hepatitis from using them.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are not transmitted through sweat. So go ahead and enjoy your workout.

However, it is wise to be blood safe at the gym and not share articles which might have come into contact with blood, such as boxing gloves.

MYTH: You can get hepatitis from sharing food and utensils.

There is no evidence of people getting hepatitis C or hepatitis B from sharing food and utensils.

Hepatitis C is transmitted only via blood-to-bloodstream contact.

While hepatitis B is found in the saliva, the amount of virus in it is not enough for saliva to be a transmission agent. You will need to drink buckets of saliva before transmission may occur.

MYTH: People with hepatitis might pass it on to your pets.

Hepatitis B and C virus can only infect humans and higher primates. Your pet dog, cat, budgie or goldfish will not get hepatitis B or C from you or your human friends.