Hepatitis B vaccine.

Many Vaccine Information Statements are available in Spanish and other languages. See www.immunize.org/vis. 1 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: • loss of appetite • diarrhea and vomiting • tiredness • jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) • pain in muscles, joints, and stomach 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. 2 Hepatitis B vaccine: Why get vaccinated? Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, and the serious consequences of HBV infection, including liver cancer and cirrhosis. Routine hepatitis B vaccination of U.S. children began in 1991. Since then, the reported incidence of acute hepatitis B among children and adolescents has dropped by more than 95% – and by 75% in all age groups. Hepatitis B vaccine is made from a part of the hepatitis B virus. It cannot cause HBV infection. Hepatitis B vaccine is usually given as a series of 3 or 4 shots. This vaccine series gives long-term protection from HBV infection, possibly lifelong. 3 Who should get hepatitis B vaccine and when? Children and Adolescents • All children should get their first dose of hepatitis B …