Hepatitis B is a serious disease.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause short-term illness that causes:

·         Loss of appetite

·         Diarrhea and vomiting

·         Tiredness

·         Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)

·         Pain in muscles, joints, and stomach

It can also cause long-term illness that leads to:

·         Liver damage (cirrhosis)

·         Liver cancer

·         Death

 How the virus is spread

Hepatitis B virus is spread through contact with the blood and body fluids of an infected person. A person can get infected in several ways, such as:

·         Having unprotected sex with an infected person

·         Sharing needles when injecting illegal drugs

·         Being stuck with a used needle on the job

·         During birth when the virus passes from an infected mother to her baby

About one third of people who are infected with hepatitis B in the United States don't know how they got it.

Hepatitis B vaccine recommendations

Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for:

·         Everyone 18 years of age and younger

·         Adults over 18 who are at risk

Adults at risk for HBV infection include:

·         People who have more than one sex partner in 6 months

·         Men who have sex with other men

·         Sex contacts of infected people

·         People who inject illegal drugs

·         Health care workers and public safety workers who might be exposed to infected blood or body fluids

·         Household contacts of persons with chronic hepatitis B virus

·         Infection

·         Hemodialysis patients

If you are not sure whether you are at risk, ask your doctor or nurse.

People should get 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine according to the following schedule. If you miss a dose or get behind schedule, get the next dose as soon as you can. There is no need to start over.

For an infant whose mother is infected with HBV

• First Dose: Within 12 hours of birth
• Second Dose: 1 to 2 months of age
• Third Dose: 6 months of age

For an infant whose mother is not infected with HBV

• First Dose: Birth to 2 months of age
• Second Dose: 1 to 4 months of age (at least 1 month after the first dose)
• Third Dose: 6 to 18 months of age

For an older child. adolescent or adult

·         First Dose: Any time

·         Second Dose: 1 to 2 months after the first dose

·         Third Dose: 4 to 6 months after the first dose

For anyone

·         The second dose must be given at least 1 month after the first dose.

·         The third dose must be given at least 2 months after the second dose and at least 4 months after the first.

·         The third dose should not be given to infants younger than 6 months of age, because this could reduce long-term protection.

Adolescents 11 to 15 years of age may need only two doses of hepatitis B vaccine, separated by 4 to 6 months. Ask your health care provider for details.

Hepatitis B vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

Who should not get hepatitis B vaccine or should wait

People should not get hepatitis B vaccine if they have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to baker's yeast (the kind used for making bread) or to a previous dose of hepatitis B vaccine.

People who are moderately or severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled should usually wait until they recover before getting hepatitis B vaccine. Ask your doctor or nurse for more information.

Risks associated with hepatitis B vaccine

In a small number of people, vaccines can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of hepatitis B vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Most people who get hepatitis B vaccine do not have any problems with it. Getting hepatitis B vaccine is much safer than getting hepatitis B disease.

Mild problems include:

·         Soreness where the shot was given, lasting a day or two (up to 1 out of 11 children and adolescents, and about 1 out of 4 adults)

·         Mild to moderate fever (up to 1 out of 14 children and adolescents and 1 out of 100 adults)

Severe problems include serious allergic reaction, however, this is very rare.

If there is a moderate or severe reaction

After vaccination, beware if there is any unusual condition, such as a serious allergic reaction, high fever or unusual behavior. Serious allergic reactions are extremely rare with any vaccine. If one were to occur, it would be within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot. Signs can include:

·         Difficulty breathing

·         Hoarseness or wheezing

·         Hives

·         Paleness

·         Weakness

·         A fast heartbeat or dizziness