Hepatitis B is a serious viral infection of the liver that can be passed to newborn children by their mothers. Vaccination protects newborns from illness caused by hepatitis B.
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Hepatitis B Can Cause Lifelong Illness
When babies are infected with hepatitis B, they are at high risk of illness throughout their lives.
Infection can lead to liver disease and liver cancer over time.
90% of infants born with hepatitis B will be infected for life without proper, timely treatment.
Mothers Can Pass Hepatitis B to Newborns
Most babies get hepatitis B from their mothers who are infected.
Babies can also be infected from other adults around them, since hepatitis B in adults often occurs without major symptoms.
Babies can also be infected from other babies in daycare.
Mothers and family members can be infected with hepatitis B and not know it.
Vaccination Can Protect Babies
When infants receive hepatitis B vaccination soon after birth, their chance of developing long-term illness are greatly reduced.
Vaccination also protects against early life infection by parents, relatives and other infants, who may not know they have hepatitis B.
Vaccination is highly effective. It's a simple way to ensure that your baby is as safe as possible from hepatitis B throughout life.
Be Tested If You Are Pregnant
Testing can detect hepatitis B infection before your baby is born.
If you are pregnant and have hepatitis B, your baby must be treated as soon as it is born to ensure that it is protected.
You should be tested as soon as you know you're pregnant. Your doctor may also want you to be tested as you get closer to your delivery date.
Testing also means that you can be treated for hepatitis B to help you avoid severe or prolonged illness. You can also take steps to make sure that others in your household don't become infected.
Testing means your baby gets the right treatment as soon as it is born.
Thanks to testing and vaccination, hepatitis B infection in young children has declined by 99% in the U.S. since 1991.
