Hepatitis B - Diseases and Vaccines

Immunisation
Hepatitis B

Background
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.

Vaccine
This disease is covered on the New Zealand Immunisation Schedule. The vaccine used is INFANRIX^®- hexa.

How it is spread
Hepatitis B is passed on through close contact with blood and other body fluids from an infected person, e.g. from cuts and scratches, sharing toothbrushes, and sex without a condom.

Babies
Hepatitis B can be passed from infected mothers to their babies, usually at the time of birth. Hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulin (a blood product with special antibodies) are given 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 5 months to check the baby is protected from hepatitis B. If the baby is not protected, a further two doses of hepatitis B vaccine may be required.

For further information read the resource Hepatitis B Information for Pregnant Women. (www.healthed.govt.nz)

Symptoms
Symptoms can include nausea, tiredness, dark urine, pale bowel motions, joint and muscle pain, and jaundice.

Illness
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, individuals do not clear the virus from their blood and continue to carry the virus. Many years later liver damage and liver cancer may develop.

Severe 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.

Severe risks associated with Hep B or Hib-Hep 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.

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Page last updated: 13 June 2008