Hepatitis B is a virus that enters the liver through the blood. You can pass hepatitis B to others if you have just gotten
the virus (acute hepatitis) or if you are a carrier of the virus (chronic hepatitis)
Acute hepatitis: 9 out of every 10 adults will get rid of the virus from their bodies after a few months.
Chronic hepatitis: 1 out of every 10 adults will never get rid of the virus from their bodies. These people
are also called carriers and are said to be chronically infected.
Hepatitis B is passed by contact with the blood or other body fluids of someone who has the virus through:
Being born to a mother who has hepatitis B.
Having unprotected sex with someone who has hepatitis B.
Sharing needles and syringes with someone who has hepatitis B.
Infants
Up to 9 out of 10 babies born to infected mothers will end up being carriers for the rest of their lives if they do not
receive the necessary immunizations. Babies, who become carriers, have chronic hepatitis B, and are more likely to develop
liver cancer as adults.
It is important to do testing early in each pregnancy so your baby will get the recommended shots after delivery. Your baby
will need Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG) and a hepatitis B shot when born. A few months after your baby gets HBIG and all
3 hepatitis B shots, the doctor will do a simple blood test to see if the hepatitis B shots are protecting the child.
When a baby has the hepatitis B series of immunizations
19 out of 20 babies who get the shots will be protected for life!
The hepatitis B shots help babies' bodies make antibodies, which protect them from hepatitis B.
Infected mothers
You may safely breast-feed your baby if he or she gets a HBIG shot and hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth.
Wash your hands well after touching your blood, bloody body fluids or vaginal fluids.
Do not chew or taste test your baby's food, share toothbrushes, or other personal hygiene articles.
Household and sexual contacts
Since hepatitis B virus can be passed to household contacts and sex partner(s), they should be tested to see if they have
the hepatitis B virus in their bodies. If they do not have the hepatitis B virus they should get the shots to protect themselves.
Hepatitis B is a virus that enters the liver through the blood. You can pass hepatitis B to others if you have just gotten
the virus (acute hepatitis) or if you are a carrier of the virus (chronic hepatitis)