Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B

• Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease caused by a virus.
• You can get infected with hepatitis B if you have contact with an infected person’s blood or other body fluids. This can happen during sex, or just by sharing personal items like a toothbrush or razor. Babies can get infected from their mother during birth.
• If you get infected, you can be sick for weeks or months, be hospitalized, and even die. Some people don’t feel sick but can still spread the virus to others. For some people, the virus remains in their body for years. During this time, the virus can attack the liver and cause serious problems like liver failure or cancer.
• You are more likely to become infected with the virus if you are exposed to blood on your job, have sex with an infected person, travel to certain countries, or use illegal drugs. However, many people are not sure how they got infected.
• Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis B.

All children and teens should get 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine. Infants should receive the first dose soon after they are born, before leaving the hospital. Many adults are at risk of hepatitis B and should be vaccinated. Adults also receive 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine over 4 to 6 months.