HEPATITIS B VACCINE - HEPATITIS B VACCINATION - HEPATITIS B IMMUNIZATION -HEPATITIS B VACCINES - ADULT IMMUNIZATIONS

What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can often be a “silent disease” that affects people without making them feel sick. Hepatitis B can infect people of all ages. 800,000-1.4 million people in the United States have long-term or “chronic” HBV infection.

Hepatitis B is usually spread through contact with infectious blood, semen and other body fluids. Common ways in which the virus is spread include sexual contact, needle sharing and during childbirth from an infected mother to her newborn.

While some people experience a short-term or “acute” illness, others develop a “chronic” case and are never able to rid themselves of the virus. This long-term HBV infection can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and death.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?
Many people with hepatitis B do not have symptoms, and therefore, doctors diagnose the disease by one or more blood tests.

Hepatitis B can be either acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis B virus infection is a short-term illness that occurs within the first six months after someone is exposed to the virus. Symptoms may include loss of appetite, tiredness, stomachache, nausea and vomiting. People infected might also experience yellowing of the whites of the eyes (jaundice) and/or joint pain.

Acute infection can - but does not always - lead to chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a long-term illness that occurs when the hepatitis B virus remains in a person's body. Chronic hepatitis B disease can result in long-term health problems, and even death. People with chronic HBV infection usually do not feel sick for many years. However, a person infected with HBV can still infect others even if they do not feel sick or show symptoms.

Which adults should get vaccinated?

• People whose sex partners are infected with HBV
• Sexually active persons who are not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship
• Persons seeking evaluation or treatment for a sexually transmitted disease
• Men who have sex with men
• People who share needles, syringes or other drug-injection equipment
• People who have close household contact with someone infected with HBV
• Health care and public safety workers at risk for exposure to blood or blood-contaminated body fluids on the job
• People with end-stage renal disease, including pre-dialysis, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and home dialysis patients
• Residents and staff of facilities for developmentally disabled persons
• Travelers to regions with moderate or high rates of HBV infection
• People with chronic liver disease
• People with HIV infection
• Anyone who wishes to be protected from HBV infection

The hepatitis B vaccine is usually given as three doses over a six-month period. After receiving all three doses, hepatitis B vaccine provides greater than 90-percent protection to those immunized before being exposed to the virus.

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Hepatitis B Information