- loss of appetite
- diarrhea and vomiting
- tiredness
- jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)
- pain in muscles, joints, and stomach
Acute illness is more common among adults. Children who become infected usually do not have acute illness.
Chronic (long-term) infection. Some people go on to develop chronic HBV infection. This can be very serious, and often leads to:
- liver damage (cirrhosis)
- liver cancer
- death
Chronic infection is more common among infants and children than among adults. People who are infected can spread HBV to others, even if they don’t appear sick.
Hepatitis B virus is spread through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. A person can become infected by:
- contact with a mother’s blood and body fluids at the time of birth
- contact with blood and body fluids through breaks in the skin such as bites, cuts, or sores; – contact with objects that could have blood or body fluids on them such as toothbrushes or razors
- having unprotected sex with an infected person
- sharing needles when injecting drugs
- being stuck with a used needle on the job.
2. Why get Hepatitis B Vaccine?
Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, and the serious consequences of HBV infection, including liver cancer and cirrhosis.
3. When to give Hepatitis B Vaccine?
All children should get their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth and should have completed the vaccine series by 6-18 months of age.
4. Who should NOT get hepatitis B vaccine?
Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of hepatitis B vaccine should not get another dose.
5. What are the possible side effects from Hepatitis B vaccine?
Hepatitis B is a very safe vaccine. Most people do not have any problems with it.
The following mild problems have been reported:
- Pain at the injection site
- Fever
Severe problems are extremely rare.
6. What to do if there is any moderate or severe reaction?
Call the doctor, or get the person to a doctor right away
“Content Source: Centers for Disease Control and prevention, Indian Academy of pediatrics”
