Hepatitis B
● Back
to Fact SheetsWhat is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. Some people who
get Hepatitis never feel sick. Others develop flu-like symptoms, such as
fatigue and nausea. Some become very ill with fever, abdominal pain, dark
urine, clay coloured stools and jaundice (yellowish colour of the skin and
eyes). Hepatitis B infection leads to death in about 1 in 100 cases. If you
are infected with Hepatitis B (whether you are ill or not) you can pass the
virus to others.
Six to ten percent of people with hepatitis B become chronic or lifetime
carriers of hepatitis B and can pass the infection to others. Carriers look
healthy but many may develop cirrhosis or cancer of the liver later in life.
How is Hepatitis B spread?
Hepatitis B is NOT spread by touching, hugging, sneezing, coughing, or
sharing dishes or eating utensils.
The virus is spread from person to person when body fluids are passed
between people. The kinds of body fluids that spread Hepatitis B are: blood,
saliva, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. Hepatitis B can be spread the
following ways:
- Having unprotected sex
- Sharing needles or other equipment for drug use
- Tattooing or body piercing with unsterilized
equipment/ink
- From a woman to her baby during birth or while she is
pregnant
- From a woman to her baby during breast feeding
- Sharing razors, nail files, or toothbrushes
- Needle stick injuries in health care workers
- Blood splashes on the eye, nose, mouth or broken skin
The Vaccine:
The Hepatitis B vaccine provides protection from the Hepatitis B virus for
at least 15 years. It is given in the muscle of the upper arm and may be
given at the same time as other vaccines.
Three doses* of the vaccine are required to provide immunity:
- 1st dose now
- 2nd dose in one month
- 3rd dose 6 months after the 1st
* For the Grade 7 Hepatitis B school program a 2 dose
schedule is followed.
• 1st dose now • 2nd dose 4-6 months
The vaccine is 95% effective for those who complete the
series. (Note: if you currently have hepatitis B, the vaccine will not
prevent the disease from progressing)
Who should NOT get the Hepatitis B vaccine?
- Those who have an allergy to yeast, thimerosal
(contact lens solution), aluminium, or mercury
- Anyone who has had a severe reaction to this vaccine
in the past
- Anyone who has a temperature (fever) over 38.5 C (101
F)
- Anyone who may be pregnant
Are there any side effects of the vaccine?
Although side effects are rare, the most common side effects of the vaccine
are:
- Redness, soreness, and swelling at the injection site
- Other reactions may include fever, headache, nausea,
dizziness, fatigue, joint pain, and rashes and should subside in 1 to 2
days
- Allergic reactions like hives, wheezing, swelling of
the face and mouth are extremely rare, however if this symptoms occur,
seek medical attention immediately and let the Health Unit know about it
It is routine for you to sit and wait in the reception
area for 15 minutes after receiving this vaccine. Please advise the
receptionist immediately if you start to feel ill. |
Leeds,
Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit -
Home Page 