Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is caused by a virus which attacks and damages the liver. It was a common disease in New Zealand until a vaccine was introduced in the 1980s.
Summary
Children who have the disease usually develop a very mild illness and sometimes they have no sign of illness at all. The illness itself is more serious for adults.
On rare occasions, people don’t clear the virus from their blood and continue to carry the virus. Many years later liver damage and liver cancer may develop.
How it is spread
If you’re pregnant and have hepatitis B, your baby can be given special antibodies to protect them.
Hepatitis B is passed on through close contact with blood and other body fluids from an infected person, eg, from cuts and scratches, sharing toothbrushes, and sex without a condom.
Hepatitis B can also be passed on from pregnant women to their babies, usually at birth.
Resources
Hepatitis B / Mate Ate Kakā
Available on HealthEd in English and te reo Māori.
Hepatitis B: Information for Pregnant Women
Available on HealthEd.
Childhood Immunisation
Available on HealthEd.
Hepatitis B: Factsheet for People Living with Chronic Infection
Available on HealthEd.
Hepatitis A B C
Available on HealthEd.
Symptoms
If you have hepatitis B, the symptoms can include:
- nausea
- tiredness
- dark urine
- pale bowel motions
- joint and muscle pain
- jaundice.
Prevention
It’s important to protect children from hepatitis B by getting them immunised on time. They’re not protected until they’ve had all three doses.
Immunisation
All children in New Zealand can be immunised against hepatitis B as part of their free childhood immunisations at six weeks, three months and five months old.
Vaccine
This disease is covered on the New Zealand Immunisation Schedule. The vaccine used is INFANRIX®- hexa.
Making a decision about immunisation
Risks associated with hepatitis B
- The virus causes liver infection and acute illness.
- Severe illness is rare in children. Fatalities are rare and are more likely in adults.
- Some people become carriers of the virus, especially children (six in 100).
- Liver cirrhosis occurs in one in 20 carriers (half of these will die).
- Liver cancer occurs in one in 10 male carriers and one in 20 female carriers and usually leads to death.
Risks associated with Hepatitis B or Haemophilus influenzae-Hepatitis B vaccines
- Anaphylaxis occurs extremely rarely.
- No links have been reported between the vaccine and multiple sclerosis (a disease of the nervous system), diabetes, or encephalitis.
Immunisation is your choice. If you have questions, talk to your doctor or practice nurse or call the Immunisation Advisory Centre free helpline 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863).
Babies
If you’ve got hepatitis B and you’re pregnant, you can pass the disease on to your baby when they’re born.
Hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulin (a blood product with special antibodies) can be given to your baby straight after birth to prevent the baby from becoming infected. This protects almost all babies.
The baby then follows the usual National Immunisation Schedule and a blood test is taken at five months to check the baby is protected from hepatitis B. If they’re not protected, a further two doses of hepatitis B vaccine may be required.
For further information read the HealthEd resource Hepatitis B: Information for Pregnant Women.
Page last updated: 08 February 2013
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