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Inova Fairfax Hospital

Inova Children's Hospital

Hepatitis B

What Is Hepatitis B?


How Do People Get Hepatitis B?

Most commonly, HBV spreads:

  • through sexual activity with an HBV-infected person
  • through shared contaminated needles or syringes for injecting drugs
  • through HBV-infected mothers to their newborn babies

Who Is at Risk for Hepatitis B?


What Is Chronic Hepatitis B?

Doctors refer to hepatitis B infections as either acute or chronic:


The younger someone is when infected, the greater the chances for chronic hepatitis B. About 90% of babies with HBV will develop a chronic infection. That risk drops to 6%–10% when someone over 5 years old is infected. Because of this, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all babies get the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 12–24 hours of birth. They'll get two more doses later, at 1–2 months of age and at 6–18 months of age.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of HBV Infection?

HBV can cause a wide range of symptoms, from a mild illness and general feeling of being unwell to more serious chronic liver disease that can lead to liver cancer. Someone with hepatitis B may have symptoms similar to those caused by other viral infections, like the flu. The person might:

  • be extra tired
  • feel like throwing up or actually throw up
  • not feel like eating
  • have a mild fever




What Problems Can Hepatitis B Cause?




How Is Hepatitis B Diagnosed?

Someone with symptoms or who might have been exposed to the virus through sex or drug use should see a doctor right away for a blood test. The blood test also can tell whether someone has an acute infection or a chronic infection.

How Is Hepatitis B Treated?



What Happens After a Hepatitis B Infection?



Can Hepatitis B Be Prevented?


Doctors also recommend "catch-up" vaccination for all kids and teens younger than 19 years old who didn't get the vaccine as babies or didn't get all three doses. Some kids may need to be revaccinated later in life. These include children:

If someone who hasn't been vaccinated is exposed to HBV, doctors may give the vaccine and/or a shot of immune globulin containing antibodies against the virus to try to prevent the person from becoming infected. That's why it's very important to see a doctor right away after any possible exposure to the virus.

To prevent the spread of hepatitis B through infected blood and other body fluids, adults and teens should:

  • always use latex condoms when having sex (oral, vaginal, or anal)
  • avoid contact with an infected person's blood
  • not use intravenous drugs or share needles or other drug tools
  • not share things like toothbrushes or razors
Date reviewed: February 2020