Hepatitus B

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Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Only about 10 percent of children who become infected with HBV show any symptoms. When children do have symptoms, they are most often fatigue, loss of appetite, jaundice, dark urine, light stools, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Hepatitis B is a serious infection. After infection with HBV, chronic infection develops in 70% to 90% of infants, 15% to 25% of 1- to 4-year-old children, and 5% to 10% of older children and adults. Premature death from cirrhosis or liver cancer occurs in 15% to 25% of persons with chronic infection. Persons who develop chronic HBV infection may remain infectious for the rest of their lives.

HBV infection in children is most commonly spread by infected mothers who pass the disease to newborn infants through blood exposure at birth or through exposure of cuts or mucous membranes to contaminated blood. HBV infection can also be transmitted if infected blood or body fluids come in contact with nonintact skin of an uninfected person, such as by biting, if the skin is broken.

Hepatitis B is vaccine-preventable. All infants should be vaccinated with three doses of hepatitis B vaccine during the first 18 months of life. A child not previously vaccinated should receive three doses of vaccine by the age of 11 or 12 years. To reduce the spread of hepatitis B:

Make sure that all children and adults use good hand washing practices.

Do not allow children to share toothbrushes.

Clean up blood spills immediately.

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Healthworks on Videotape

If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.

© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.

Common Illnesses Contagious Diseases Diphtheria Measles Hepatitis Meningitis Mumps Chicken Pox Rubella (German Measles) Lifelong Health Issues Unavoidable Conditions Why Kids Get Sick So Often When To Call The Doctor When To Send Your Child to Daycare Safe Use of Antibiotics		Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Only about 10 percent of children who become infected with HBV show any symptoms. When children do have symptoms, they are most often fatigue, loss of appetite, jaundice, dark urine, light stools, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Hepatitis B is a serious infection. After infection with HBV, chronic infection develops in 70% to 90% of infants, 15% to 25% of 1- to 4-year-old children, and 5% to 10% of older children and adults. Premature death from cirrhosis or liver cancer occurs in 15% to 25% of persons with chronic infection. Persons who develop chronic HBV infection may remain infectious for the rest of their lives. HBV infection in children is most commonly spread by infected mothers who pass the disease to newborn infants through blood exposure at birth or through exposure of cuts or mucous membranes to contaminated blood. HBV infection can also be transmitted if infected blood or body fluids come in contact with nonintact skin of an uninfected person, such as by biting, if the skin is broken. Hepatitis B is vaccine-preventable. All infants should be vaccinated with three doses of hepatitis B vaccine during the first 18 months of life. A child not previously vaccinated should receive three doses of vaccine by the age of 11 or 12 years. To reduce the spread of hepatitis B: Make sure that all children and adults use good hand washing practices. Do not allow children to share toothbrushes. Clean up blood spills immediately.
		COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & INFECTIONS \| YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT PARENTING CHALLENGES \| RESOURCES AND INFORMATION \| ABOUT THIS PROGRAM BACK TO PRAIRIE PUBLIC TELEVISION \| RETURN TO PRAIRIEPUBLIC.ORG HOME PAGE
		Missed A Program? Healthworks on Videotape If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.
		© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.