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Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B begins with mild symptoms that may or may not develop into a serious disease. Early symptoms of the disease include: loss of appetite, tiredness, pains in the muscles, joints, or stomach, diarrhea or vomiting, and yellowed skin or eyes (jaundice). In the U.S., about 300,000 people become sick with Hepatitis B each year. Of these, about one-fourth will develop jaundice, and more than 10,000 will need to be hospitalized. Acute illness results in death for about 250 people each year in the United States.
Between 6 and 10 of every 100 young adults with Hepatitis B become chronic carriers (meaning the virus is in their blood) and may be able to spread the disease to others for a long time. Some carriers go on to develop a chronic hepatitis, which may cause liver destruction (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and death. An estimated 4,000 people die from Hepatitis B-related cirrhosis each year in the U.S. and more than 800 die from Hepatitis B-related liver cancer.
Hepatitis B virus is carried in the blood and body fluids of an infected person. It can pass through tiny breaks in the skin, mouth, vagina, or penis. A person can get infected in several ways, such as:
The risk of hepatitis infection is higher among certain groups of people because of the jobs they do. Health care and public safety workers, custodial and maintenance staff, lab workers and some other groups are most likely to be potentially exposed to blood or body fluids infected with Hepatitis B. Because of this risk, vaccination with the Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended to help prevent infection.
Hepatitis B vaccine is a non-infectious recombinant DNA synthetic vaccine that is produced from yeast in a laboratory. When introduced into the body as a vaccine, the immune system produces antibodies specifically directed against the Hepatitis B virus. Clinical studies have shown that, after three doses, 96% of healthy adults become immune to Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B vaccine is given by injection on three separate dates. The second dose is given one month after the first. The third dose is given six months after the initial injection. If you miss a dose or get behind schedule, get the next dose as soon as you can. There is no need to start over. Other vaccines may be given at the same time as Hepatitis B.
Because the Hepatitis B vaccine is produced from yeast and contains preservative, anyone with a history of serious allergic reaction to common baker's yeast or the preservative thimerosal should be evaluated by a physician prior to receiving vaccination. Pregnant or nursing mothers should consult their obstetricians or pediatricians prior to vaccination.
The most common side effect is soreness at the site of injection, including redness and swelling. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen (not aspirin) may be used to reduce discomfort or fever. As with any drug or vaccine, there is a rare possibility that allergic or more serious reactions or even death could occur. No deaths have been reported among people who have received this vaccine; it is one of the safest vaccines used in the United States.
Call a doctor or get the person to a doctor right away. Ask your doctor, nurse, or health department to file a Vaccine Adverse Event Report form. To file a report yourself, you can call: 1-800-822-7969.
Call the Health Service at 465-5263 if you have further questions.