Is Liver Cirrhosis Contagious?

Liver cirrhosis itself is not contagious. It is a pathological condition characterized by widespread fibrosis, liver cell damage, and the formation of regenerative nodules known as pseudolobules. While the condition itself cannot be transmitted from one person to another, certain underlying causes of cirrhosis can indeed be infectious.

For example, in many parts of Asia, hepatitis B is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is highly transmissible and can lead to chronic liver disease, which may progress to cirrhosis over time. The main transmission routes of HBV are as follows:

1. Mother-to-child transmission: A mother with chronic hepatitis B can pass the virus to her newborn through blood exposure during childbirth.

2. Bloodborne transmission: This includes transmission through contaminated blood transfusions, shared needles or syringes, and even through personal items like razors or toothbrushes that may carry traces of infected blood. The virus can enter the body through broken skin or mucous membranes.

3. Sexual transmission: Individuals with high viral loads may have detectable levels of HBV in their bodily fluids. In such cases, unprotected sexual contact can transmit the virus to an uninfected partner.

In addition, other infectious causes such as schistosomiasis (commonly known as bilharzia) can also result in liver cirrhosis. Schistosoma parasites are known to spread through contaminated water and can cause progressive liver damage leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis.

On the other hand, non-infectious types of cirrhosis—such as alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and autoimmune hepatitis—do not pose any risk of transmission. These forms of liver damage develop due to long-term internal or environmental factors and cannot be passed on to others.