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Facts About Preventable Diseases: Hepatitis B
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Hepatitis B is a serious public health problem that affects people of all ages in the United States and around the world. In 2003, an estimated 92,000 people contracted hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the United States.
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Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and is an acute illness with short-term effects such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, redness, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) and pain in the muscles, joints, and stomach.
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The long term effects of Hepatitis B can result in a life-long infection, cirrhosis or scarring of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and even DEATH
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Hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood and body fluids of infected persons.
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Hepatitis B vaccine is 80% to 95% effective in preventing HBV infection and clinical hepatitis among susceptible children and adults and vaccine recipients are virtually 100% protected against clinical illness.
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The recommended immunization schedule for children and young adults is aimed at controlling the transmission of Hepatitis B and its complications.
Prevention
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Vaccination is aimed at preventing the disease ONLY and it has no effect on a person already suffering from Hepatitis B
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Three doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine are required to maintain a level of protection. The vaccine serie is only recommended once in lifetime, except for special circumstances as determined by a physician
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The childhood and young adults immunization schedule for the United States of America recommends Hepatitis B vaccination as follows:
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At birth, at one month and at six months of age
The Hepatitis B Series MUST be completed upon middle school entrance
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For information on how to get vaccinated please call:
Children and young adults: 305-663-6853
Employees and other adults: 305-666-6511 ext 2636
Who is at Risk?
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baby born to a mother who is infected with the condition
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a job that exposes you to human blood
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share a household with someone who has lifelong hepatitis B infection
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have sex with a person infected with hepatitis B have sex with more than one partner during a six-month period
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received blood a transfusion(s) BEFORE 1975
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a person whose parents were born in Asia, Africa, the Amazon Basin of South America, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, or the Middle East
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were born in an area listed above/were adopted from an area listed above
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are an Alaska native
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have hemophilia
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are a patient or worker in an institution for the developmentally disabled
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inject drugs
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inmates of a long-term correctional facility
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travel internationally to areas with a high prevalence of hepatitis B
To receive more information on how to get your family and/or children vaccinated, please call the MCH Division of Preventive Medicine and Community Pediatrics at 305-663-6853.
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