The Hepatitis B Vaccine

What You Need to Know

• What is hepatitis B?
• Hepatitis B vaccine: Why get vaccinated?
• Who should get the hepatitis B vaccine and when?
• Who should NOT get the hepatitis B vaccine?
• What are the risks from the hepatitis B vaccine?
• What if there is a moderate or severe reaction?
• The National Vaccine Injury Compenation Program
• How can I learn more?

What is Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a serious disease that affects the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can cause:

Acute (short-term) illness. This can lead to:

• diarrhea and vomiting
• jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)
• loss of appetite
• pain in muscles, joints, and stomach
• tiredness

Acute illness is more common among adults. Children who become infected usually do not have acute illness.

Chronic (long-term) infection. Some people go on to develop chronic HBV infection. This can be very serious, and often leads to:

• liver damage (cirrhosis)
• liver cancer
• death

Chronic infection is more common among infants and children than among adults. People who are infected can spread HBV to others, even if they don't appear sick.

• In 2005, about 51,000 people became infected with hepatitis B.
• About 1.25 million people in the United States have chronic HBV infection.
• Each year about 3,000 to 5,000 people die from cirrhosis or liver cancer caused by HBV.

Hepatitis B virus is spread through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. A person can become infected by:
- contact with a mother's blood and body fluids at the time of birth;
- contact with blood and body fluids through breaks in the skin such as bites, cuts, or sores;
- contact with objects that could have blood or body fluids on them such as toothbrushes or razors;
- having unprotected sex with an infected person;
- sharing needles when injecting drugs;
- being stuck with a used needle on the job.

SOURCES:

Centers for Disease Control