Hepatitis B

Hepatitis

Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by a virus. For many people who get hepatitis B, the virus stays in the body, causing a lifelong illness.
Hepatitis B can cause serious health problems over time, including liver damage, liver failure, and liver cancer.
Most people who have hepatitis B have no symptoms and may not know they have it. But they can still pass hepatitis B to others.

If a pregnant woman tests positive for hepatitis B, her baby must be treated at birth. Babies who get treatment when they are born rarely get hepatitis B.
When babies become infected with hepatitis B they are very likely to develop a lifelong infection.
Pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B during every pregnancy.

See your health care provider to discuss how to manage your hepatitis B infection.
There are treatments available that can reduce the risk of passing hepatitis B on to your baby.
If you don't know if you have hepatitis B, ask your provider to order a blood test for hepatitis B.

Get tested for hepatitis B during every pregnancy.
If you test negative for hepatitis B, ask your provider about hepatitis B vaccination.
If you test positive for hepatitis B, your baby will need treatment and follow up:
- Your baby will receive the first dose of the vaccine series and hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) after birth.
- Your baby will need to finish the hepatitis B vaccine series.
- After the vaccine series, your doctor will draw blood to make sure your baby is protected from hepatitis B.
It is safe to breastfeed even if you have hepatitis B.