What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver. The virus is spread by sexual contact and exposure to infectious blood or blood products.

Hepatitis B can either cause a chronic, low-level inflammation of the liver or a sudden, very severe infection of the liver possibly leading to liver failure and death.

Symptoms of hepatitis B include abdominal pain, yellow eyes and skin, fatigue and nausea.

What is the hepatitis B vaccine?

The hepatitis B vaccine is given to help the immune system develop a response to the hepatitis B virus.

The vaccine against hepatitis B is a recombinant (man-made) version of the capsular surface proteins of the hepatitis B virus and is injected into muscle.

If a person is exposed to the virus after receiving the vaccine, his immune system will recognize and attack the virus.

It is not possible to become infected with hepatitis B by receiving the vaccine.

What are the side effects of the hepatitis B vaccine?

The most common side effects of the hepatitis B vaccine, similar to any injected vaccine, are pain, irritation, mild redness at the injection site, and a mild fever. These symptoms may cause prolonged crying in infants.

More severe reactions are exceedingly rare.

What about the thimerosal/mercury preservative in the hepatitis B vaccine?

The hepatitis B vaccine has been given since 1982 without significant side effects.

The small levels of mercury in the hepatitis B vaccine have not been shown to cause any learning difficulties.

Nevertheless, the CDC and the AAP have recommended giving the hepatitis B vaccine later in life to reduce any possible risks.

Newborns of mothers with hepatitis B disease should still receive the vaccine in the immediate newborn period because the risk of hepatitis outways the small possibility of side effects from the thimerosal/mercury preservative.

Who should NOT receive the hepatitis B vaccine?

Anyone with a previous episode of anaphylaxis immediately following the hepatitis B vaccine.

What is the vaccination schedule for the hepatitis B vaccine?

Newborns of mothers with hepatitis B disease:

Newborns of mothers proven to be free of hepatitis B disease:

Older children who have never been vaccinated against hepatitis B or have not completed the full series dosing schedule:

Warning signs- Call our office for advice if:

Your child is less than 6 months old and has a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees F, call our office now.

Your child is older than 6 months and has a temperature greater than 102.5 degrees F, call our office now.

Your child develops any signs of an allergic reaction including hives, rash, or difficulty breathing, call our office now.

You have any questions or concerns, or are unsure whether your child's symptom's are worrisome, call our office now.