Hepatitis B Overview 

Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. 1It can put people at high risk of death if chronic infection persists from cirrhosis (a scarring of the liver) and liver cancer 1

Hepatitis B usually spreads to babies or children from infected mothers at birth, or through exposure to infected blood and bodily fluids (e.g. sharing needles with someone infected with hepatitis B in health-care settings or through infected mothers at birth).1

The virus is not spread through breastfeeding, sharing eating utensils, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing. 2 Hepatitis B is also not spread by contaminated food or water 2

Children who become infected with the hepatitis B virus are at the most at risk of developing chronic hepatitis B infections; up to 90% of infants infected during the first year of life develop life-long infection. 13 

The vast majority of people infected with hepatitis B in adulthood are able to fight off the virus and fully recover within 1 to 3 months. 3 

Many of the symptoms of hepatitis B can be confused with those of common illnesses, such as flu. 4 Many people infected with hepatitis B do not experience any symptoms and may spread the infection without realizing it. 4 When symptoms are present, however, they can include 14:

• general aches and pains
• fever
• general sense of feeling unwell
• loss of appetite
• yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• dark urine
• extreme tiredness
• feeling and being sick and stomach pain

In some people, the hepatitis B virus can also cause a chronic liver infection that can later develop into cirrhosis (a scarring of the liver) or liver cancer. 1

Hepatitis B vaccination can help protect against infection. The hepatitis B vaccine can be provided alone or in combination vaccines that also help protect against other diseases, as part of the national immunization program. Consult with your healthcare professional for further information. 1

• For infants 3 doses at 2, 4, 6 months with a booster dose at 18 months
• For children and adults 3 doses can be given at any age – 2nd dose after 1 month and 3rd dose after 6 months
• For travelers and high-risk group 3 doses – 2nd dose in 7 days and 3rd dose in 21 days and booster at 12 months.

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