Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver and can spread through blood and body fluids.
What Is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. The liver helps clean your blood, store energy, and fight infection.
The hepatitis B infection may last a short time and go away on its own (acute). For others, it lasts a long time (chronic). Chronic hepatitis B can cause liver swelling (inflammation) and may lead to liver damage and other serious health problems.
Getting the hepatitis B vaccine is the best way to prevent hepatitis B infections.
How Hepatitis B Spreads
Hepatitis B spreads when blood or body fluids from someone who has the virus enter another person’s body who is not protected (not immune).
Many people with hepatitis B don’t feel sick and may not know they can spread the virus to others.
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How Is Hepatitis B Diagnosed and Treated?
Hepatitis B is diagnosed with blood tests. Your child’s doctor or health care provider will decide what treatment is needed.
Your child may need:
- Rest and healthy foods
- Antiviral medicine
- Follow-up medical visits and blood tests
How Can You Prevent Spreading Hepatitis B?
Follow these steps to help prevent spreading hepatitis B:
- Get the hepatitis B vaccine. It is safe and effective. Babies should get their first dose within 24 hours of birth. For more information, visit our vaccine FAQ.
- Wash hands often with soap and warm water, especially:
- After using the bathroom.
- Before eating or preparing food.
- After diaper changes or toileting.
- After contact with blood or bloody items.
- Wear throw-away (disposable) gloves when handling blood, like when stopping a nosebleed or bleeding from a cut. Wash your hands after removing the gloves.
- Family members who have not been vaccinated should get the hepatitis B vaccine.
- If your child or a family member is exposed to hepatitis B, contact your doctor right away to discuss next steps.
When Should I Call the Doctor for Hepatitis B?
Call your child’s doctor or health care provider if they:
- Have been exposed to blood infected with hepatitis B.
- Have yellow skin or eyes.
- Are very tired for many days.
- Vomit more than 2 times in 1 hour.
- Have stomach pain.
- Have a fever over 100.4° Fahrenheit (F) or 38° Celsius (C) for more than 2 days.
- Have not wanted to eat in the past 24 hours.
Helping Hands™ Patient Education Materials
Helping Hands™ are easy-to-read guides about different illnesses, therapies, surgeries, and more. They’re created by the Patient Education team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and are reviewed and approved by clinical staff, like nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and psychologists. Nationwide Children's Hospital is not responsible for misuse of information in patient education materials, including Helping Hands.
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