Hepatitis B
The hepatitis B virus can lead to liver damage and even death. Hepatitis B is generally considered to be an adult disease because it's known to be transmitted through unsafe sex and shared needles. But up to 40 percent of those who get it, including children, don't engage in these "high-risk" behaviors and experts don't know how they got infected. Before the vaccine was introduced in the United States, there were about 25,000 cases a year in young children; only 6,000 of them got it from their mother at birth.
- Hepatitis B Disease
Fact sheets and other information about hepatitis B and perinatal hepatitis B.
- Hepatitis B Vaccine
Who needs the hepatitis B vaccine? When should they get it?
- Hepatitis B and International
Travel
International travel health information from MDH, including how to plan ahead for travel shots.
- Adopting from Abroad
Families adopting children from areas where hepatitis B is common should have their children tested as soon as possible after arrival in this country.
- Hepatitis B
Statistics
Statistics for acute and chronic hepatitis B.
- For Health Professionals
Spotlight
CDC has published “Recommendations for the Identification of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Persons Born During 1945–1965” in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The new recommendations call for all Americans born from 1945 through 1965 or “baby boomers” to get a one-time blood test for the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
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Perinatal Hepatitis B
Information on perinatal hepatitis B, prevention, treatment, and reporting
Hepatitis B ECHO-TV Program
Videos available in seven languages with information on hepatitis B awareness and prevention
If you have questions or comments about this page, use our IDEPC Comment Form or call 651-201-5414 for the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.
