Hepatitis B (HBV)
What is Hepatitis B (HBV)?Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis B has a wide range of clinical presentations. It can be mild,
without symptoms, or it may cause chronic hepatitis. In some cases, when
infants and young children acquire hepatitis B, they are at high risk for
chronic liver disease and liver failure. Transmission of hepatitis B virus
occurs through blood and body fluid exposure such as blood, semen, vaginal
secretions, or saliva. Infants may also develop the disease if they are
born to a mother who has the virus. Infected children often spread the
virus to other children if there is frequent contact (i.e., household
contact) or a child has many scrapes or cuts. The following describes
persons who are at risk for developing hepatitis B:
- children born to mothers who have hepatitis B
- children who are born to mothers who have immigrated from a country
where hepatitis B is widespread such as southeast Asia and China
- children who live in long-term care facilities or who are disabled
- children who live in households where another member is infected
with the virus
- children who have a blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia and
require blood products
- children who require dialysis for kidney failure
- adolescents who may participate in high-risk activities such as IV
drug use and/or unprotected heterosexual or homosexual contact
People can contract hepatitis B virus infection without knowing how
they got it. About one-third of hepatitis B cases in the United States
have an unknown source.
Why is hepatitis B a concern?The younger the person, the greater the likelihood of staying
infected with hepatitis B and having life-long liver problems, such as
scarring of the liver and liver cancer.
Hepatitis B immunization:A vaccine for Hepatitis B does exist and is now widely used for
routine childhood immunization. Children currently receive the first
vaccine between birth and 2 months, the second vaccine at 1 to 4 months
and the third vaccine at 6 to 18 months. The vaccine is generally required
for all children born on or after January 1, 1992, before they enter
school. The vaccine is available for older children who may have not been
immunized before 1992 and is recommended before age 11 or 12. Hepatitis B
vaccine will prevent this disease. Three doses are needed for full and
lasting immunity. Hepatitis B vaccine may be given at the same time as
other vaccines.
- Infants of mothers that have hepatitis should receive hepatitis B
immune globulin and the hepatitis B vaccine in the first 12 hours of
birth.
- Infants of hepatitis B-negative mothers can receive the first dose
up to 2 months of age.
- The second dose must be given at least one month after the first
dose.
- The third dose must be given at least two months after the second
dose and at least four months after the first. The third dose should not
be given to infants younger than 6 months of age.
What are the risks from hepatitis B vaccine?A vaccine, like any medication, is capable of causing serious
problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of hepatitis B
vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. Persons who
have a life-threatening allergy to baker's yeast should not receive the
hepatitis B vaccine.
Receiving hepatitis B vaccine is much safer than contracting hepatitis
B disease. Most people who receive hepatitis B vaccine do not have any
problems with it. Risks may include:
- soreness in the location where the shot was given, lasting a day or
two
- fever
- serious allergic reaction (very rare)
How do I care for my child after immunization with
hepatitis B vaccine?
- Give your child an aspirin-free pain reliever, as directed by your
child's physician.
- Watch for signs of reaction such as high fever, difficulty
breathing, behavior change, fast heart rate, or dizziness. Report these
or any other unusual signs immediately to your child's physician.
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