Vaccinations

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver and can cause serious health problems. A person who is infected with the virus may not show any signs or symptoms of being infected but can still pass the disease on to other people. There are about 300,000 new cases of Hepatitis B each year in the United States. In babies, hepatitis can be life-threatening.

Hepatitis B virus is spread through contact with blood and body fluids of an infected person.
A baby can become infected during birth from an infected mother. Sharing personal items such as razors or toothbrushes can infect you. Children can become infected by being bitten by an infected person or sharing toys they put in their mouths. A person may also become infected by having sex with a person who has the virus, or by injecting illegal drugs.

People who have hepatitis can have flu-like symptoms such as feeling tired or sick to their stomach. They may develop a yellowing of their skin and eyes or their urine may become dark or “tea-colored.” Some children may become seriously ill. Most people will improve in 2-4 months. Many infected people show no signs or symptoms and do not know they are infected.

• A blood test can show if someone is infected with the Hepatitis virus.
• Pregnant women who are infected with the virus can pass the virus to their newborn.
• All pregnant women should be tested for the virus.

There is presently no cure for hepatitis B, but the hepatitis B virus vaccine can prevent it.
The vaccine is given in three shots: your newborn should receive the first shot before leaving the hospital; the second shot at 1-2 months of age; and the third shot at 6-18 months of age. It is recommended that all infants receive the hepatitis B vaccine. It is important that your child completes the vaccine series of three shots.

The Hepatitis vaccine is safe and has been given to more than 20 million people in the United States. Side-effects of the vaccine are rare and can include itching and pain at the injection site or low-grade fever.