Infectious inflammation of liver (from blood or body fluids). Also run Hepatitis General, Blood Purify, and Parasites Schistosoma Mansoni programs if necessary.Encyclopedia Entry for Hepatitis B :Hepatitis B - hepatitis B virus (Hepadnavirus)Encyclopedia Entry for Hepatitis B :Hepatitis B - children. HBV is found in the blood or body fluids (semen, tears, or saliva) of an infected person. The virus is not present in the stool (feces). A child can get HBV through contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who has the virus. Exposure can occur from: A mother with HBV at the time of birth. It does not appear that HBV is passed to the fetus while still in the mother's womb. A bite from an infected person that breaks the skin. Blood, saliva, or any other body fluid from an infected person that may touch a break or opening in a child's skin, eyes, or mouth. Sharing personal items, such as a toothbrush, with a someone who has the virus. Being stuck with a needle after use by an HBV-infected person. A child cannot get hepatitis B from hugging, kissing, coughing, or sneezing. Breastfeeding by a mother with hepatitis B is safe if the child is treated properly at the time of birth. Teenagers who are not vaccinated can get HBV during unprotected sex or drug use.Most children with hepatitis B have none or only a few symptoms. Children younger than 5 years rarely have symptoms of hepatitis B. Older children may develop symptoms 3 to 4 months after the virus enters the body. The main symptoms of a new or recent infection are: Appetite loss Fatigue Low fever Muscle and joint pain Nausea and vomiting Yellow skin and eyes ( jaundice ) Dark urine If the body is able to fight HBV, the symptoms end in a few weeks to 6 months. This is called acute hepatitis B. Acute hepatitis B does not cause any lasting problems.Your child's health care provider will perform blood tests called the hepatitis viral panel. These tests can help diagnose: A new infection (acute hepatitis B) A chronic or long-term infection (chronic hepatitis B) An infection that occurred in the past, but is no longer present The following tests detect liver damage and the risk for liver cancer from chronic hepatitis B: Albumin level Liver function tests Prothrombin time Liver biopsy Abdominal ultrasound Liver cancer tumor markers such as alpha fetoprotein The provider will also check the viral load of HBV in the blood. This test shows how well your child's treatment is working.Acute hepatitis B does not need any special treatment. Your child's immune system will fight the disease. If there is no sign of the HBV infection after 6 months, then your child has recovered fully. However, while the virus is present, your child can pass the virus to others. You should take steps to help prevent the disease from spreading. Chronic hepatitis B needs treatment. The goal of treatment is to relieve any symptoms, prevent the disease from spreading, and help prevent liver disease. Make sure that your child: Gets plenty of rest Drinks lots of fluids Eats healthy foods Your child's provider also may recommend antiviral medicines. The medicines decrease or remove HBV from the blood: Interferon alpha-2b (Intron A) can be given to children age 1 year and older. Lamivudine (Epivir) and entecavir (Baraclude) are used in children age 2 years and older. Tenofovir (Viread) is given to children age 12 years and older. It is not always clear what medicines should be given. Children with chronic hepatitis B may get these medicines when: Liver function quickly gets worse The liver shows signs of long-term damage HBV level is high in the blood.Many children are able to rid their body of the HBV and do not have a long-term infection. However, some children never get rid of HBV. This is called chronic hepatitis B infection. Younger children are more prone to chronic hepatitis B. These children do not feel sick, and lead a relatively healthy life. However, over time, they may develop symptoms of long-term (chronic) liver damage. Almost all newborns and about half of children who get hepatitis B develop the long-term (chronic) condition. A positive blood test after 6 months confirms chronic hepatitis B. The disease will not affect your child's growth and development. Regular monitoring plays an important role in managing the disease in children. You should also help your child learn how to avoid spreading the disease now and into adulthood.The possible complications of hepatitis B include: Liver damage Liver cirrhosis Liver cancer These complications generally occur during adulthood.Call your child's provider if: Your child has symptoms of hepatitis B Hepatitis B symptoms do not go away New symptoms develop The child belongs to a high-risk group for hepatitis B and has not had the HBV vaccine.If a pregnant woman has acute or chronic hepatitis B, these steps are taken to prevent the virus from being transmitted to a baby at birth: Newborn babies should receive their first hepatitis B vaccine and one dose of immunoglobulins (IG) within 12 hours. The baby should complete all hepatitis B vaccines as recommended during the first six months. Some pregnant women may receive drugs to lower the level of HBV in their blood. To prevent hepatitis B infection: Children should get the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth. They should have all 3 shots in the series by age 6 months. Children who have not had the vaccine should get 'catch-up' doses. Children should avoid contact with blood and body fluids. Children should not share toothbrushes or any other items that may be infected. All women should be screened for HBV during pregnancy. Mothers with an HBV infection can breastfeed their child after immunization.Silent infection - HBV children; Antivirals - hepatitis B children; HBV children; Pregnancy - hepatitis B children; Maternal transmission - hepatitis B children.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Vaccine information statements: hepatitis B. www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/hep-b.html. Updated October 18, 2016. Accessed March 15, 2018. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Vaccine information statements: your baby's first vaccines. www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/multi.html. Updated October 18, 2016. Accessed March 15, 2018. Jensen MK, Balistreri WF. Viral hepatitis.Encyclopedia Entry for Hepatitis B :Hepatitis B vaccine - what you need to know. 1. WHY GET VACCINATED? Hepatitis B is a serious disease that affects the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B can cause mild illness lasting a few weeks, or it can lead to a serious, lifelong illness. Hepatitis B virus infection can be either acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis B virus infection is a short-term illness that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the hepatitis B virus. This can lead to: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and/or vomiting jaundice (yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements) pain in muscles, joints, and stomach. Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a long-term illness that occurs when the hepatitis B virus remains in a person s body. Most people who go on to develop chronic hepatitis B do not have symptoms, but it is still very serious and can lead to: liver damage (cirrhosis) liver cancer death Chronically-infected people can spread hepatitis B virus to others, even if they do not feel or look sick themselves. Up to 1.4 million people in the United States may have chronic hepatitis B infection. About 90% of infants who get hepatitis B become chronically infected and about 1 out of 4 of them dies. Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluid infected with the Hepatitis B virus enters the body of a person who is not infected. People can become infected with the virus through: Birth (a baby whose mother is infected can be infected at or after birth) Sharing items such as razors or toothbrushes with an infected person Contact with the blood or open sores of an infected person Sex with an infected partner Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment Exposure to blood from needlesticks or other sharp instruments Each year about 2,000 people in the United States die from hepatitis B-related liver disease. Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent hepatitis B and its consequences, including liver cancer and cirrhosis. 2. HEPATITIS B VACCINE Hepatitis B vaccine is made from parts of the hepatitis B virus. It cannot cause hepatitis B infection. The vaccine is usually given as 3 or 4 shots over a 6-month period. Infants should get their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth and will usually complete the series at 6 months of age. All children and adolescents younger than 19 years of age who have not yet gotten the vaccine should also be vaccinated. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for unvaccinated adults who are at risk for hepatitis B virus infection, including: People whose sex partners have hepatitis B Sexually active persons who are not in a long-term monogamous relationship Persons seeking evaluation or treatment for a sexually transmitted disease Men who have sexual contact with other men People who share needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment People who have household contact with someone infected with the hepatitis B virus Health care and public safety workers at risk for exposure to blood or body fluids Residents and staff of facilities for developmentally disabled persons Persons in correctional facilities Victims of sexual assault or abuse Travelers to regions with increased rates of hepatitis B People with chronic liver disease, kidney disease, HIV infection, or diabetes Anyone who wants to be protected from hepatitis B There are no known risks to getting hepatitis B vaccine at the same time as other vaccines. 3. SOME PEOPLE SHOULD NOT GET THIS VACCINE Tell the person who is giving the vaccine: If the person getting the vaccine has any severe, life-threatening allergies. If you ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of hepatitis B vaccine, or have a severe allergy to any part of this vaccine, you may be advised not to get vaccinated. Ask your health care provider if you want information about vaccine components. If the person getting the vaccine is not feeling well. If you have a mild illness, such as a cold, you can probably get the vaccine today. If you are moderately or severely ill, you should probably wait until you recover. Your doctor can advise you. 4. RISKS OF A VACCINE REACTION With any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own, but serious reactions are also possible. Most people who get hepatitis B vaccine do not have any problems with it. Minor problems following hepatitis B vaccine include: Soreness where the shot was given Temperature of 99.9 F (37.7 C) or higher If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1 or 2 days. Your doctor can tell you more about these reactions. Other problems that could happen after this vaccine: People sometimes faint after a medical procedure, including vaccination. Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes can help prevent fainting and injuries caused by a fall. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy, or have vision changes or ringing in the ears. Some people get shoulder pain that can be more severe and longer-lasting than the more routine soreness that can follow injections. This happens very rarely. Any medication can cause a severe allergic reaction. Such reactions from a vaccine are very rare, estimated at about 1 in a million doses, and would happen within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination. As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a serious injury or death. The safety of vaccines is always being monitored. For more information, visit: www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/ 5. WHAT IF THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM? What should I look for? Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs of a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or unusual behavior. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These would usually start a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination. What should I do? If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other emergency that can't wait, call 9-1-1 and get to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your clinic. Afterward, the reaction should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your doctor should file this report, or you can do it yourself through the VAERS web site at www.vaers.hhs.gov/ , or by calling 1-800-822-7967. VAERS does not give medical advice. 6. THE NATIONAL VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal program that was created to compensate people who may have been injured by certain vaccines. Persons who believe they may have been injured by a vaccine can learn about the program and about filing a claim by calling 1-800-338-2382 or visiting the VICP website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccine-compensation/. There is a time limit to file a claim for compensation. 7. HOW CAN I LEARN MORE? Ask your health care provider. He or she can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information. Call your local or state health department. Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or visit CDC's website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/.Vaccine information statement: hepatitis B vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated July 20, 2016. www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/hep-b.html. Accessed July 27, 2016.Encyclopedia Entry for Hepatitis B :Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B infection is caused by the HBV. You can catch hepatitis B through contact with the blood or body fluids (semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva) of a person who has the virus. Exposure may occur: After a needlestick or sharps injury If any blood or other body fluid touches your skin, eyes or mouth, or open sores or cuts People who may be at risk of hepatitis B are those who: Have unprotected sex with an infected partner Receive blood transfusions (not common in the United States) Have contact with blood at work (such as health care workers) Have been on long-term kidney dialysis Get a tattoo or acupuncture with unclean needles Share needles during drug use Share personal items (such as toothbrush, razor, and nail clippers) with a person who has the virus Were born to a hepatitis-B infected mother All blood used for blood transfusions is screened, so the chance of getting the virus in this way is very small.After you first become infected with the HBV: You may have no symptoms. You may feel sick for a period of days or weeks. You may become very ill very quickly (called fulminant hepatitis). Symptoms of hepatitis B may not appear for up to 6 months after the time of infection. Early symptoms include: Appetite loss Fatigue Low fever Muscle and joint aches Nausea and vomiting Yellow skin and dark urine Symptoms will go away in a few weeks to months if your body is able to fight off the infection. Some people never get rid of the HBV. This is called chronic hepatitis B. People with chronic hepatitis may not have symptoms and not know they are infected. Over time, they may develop symptoms of liver damage and cirrhosis of the liver. You can spread the HBV to other people, even if you have no symptoms.A series of blood tests called the hepatitis viral panel is done for suspected hepatitis. It can help detect: New infection Older infection that is still active Older infection that is no longer active The following tests are done to look for liver damage if you have chronic hepatitis B: Albumin level Liver function tests Prothrombin time You will also have a test to measure the level of HBV in your blood (viral load). This lets your health care provider know how your treatment is working. People at higher risk for hepatitis should be screened with a blood test. This may be needed even when they have no symptoms. Factors that lead to increased risk include: The risk factors described above in the Causes section. People from countries where a higher number of people have hepatitis B. These countries or areas include Japan, some Mediterranean countries, parts of Asia and the Middle East, West Africa and South Sudan.Acute hepatitis, unless severe, needs no treatment. Liver and other body functions are watched using blood tests. You should get plenty of bed rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy foods. Aggressive hepatitis Some people with chronic hepatitis may be treated with antiviral drugs. These medicines can decrease or remove hepatitis B from the blood. One of the medicines is an injection called interferon. They also help to reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is not always clear which people with chronic hepatitis B should receive drug therapy and when it should be started. You are more likely to receive these medicines if: Your liver function is quickly becoming worse. You develop symptoms of long-term liver damage. You have high levels of the HBV in your blood. You are pregnant. For these medicines to work best, you need to take them as instructed by your provider. Ask what side effects you can expect and what to do if you have them. Not everybody who needs to take these medicines responds well. If you develop liver failure, you may be considered for a liver transplant. A liver transplant is the only cure in some cases of liver failure. Other steps you can take: Avoid alcohol. Check with your provider before taking any over-the-counter medicines or herbal supplements. This includes medicines such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen. Severe liver damage, or cirrhosis , can be caused by hepatitis B.Some people benefit from attending a liver disease support group.The acute illness most often goes away after 2 to 3 weeks. The liver most often returns to normal within 4 to 6 months in most people. Almost all newborns and about half of children who get hepatitis B develop the chronic condition. Very few adults who get the virus develop chronic hepatitis B. About 1 in 100 people who get hepatitis B dies from the condition. There is a much higher rate of liver cancer in people who have chronic hepatitis B.Call your provider if: You develop symptoms of hepatitis B. Hepatitis B symptoms do not go away in 2 to 3 weeks, or new symptoms develop. You belong to a high-risk group for hepatitis B and have not had the HBV vaccine. Hepatitis B.Children and people at high risk for hepatitis B should get the hepatitis B vaccine. Babies should get a first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. They should have all 3 shots in the series by age 6 to 18 months. Children younger than age 19 who have not had the vaccine should get 'catch-up' doses. Health care workers and those who live with someone who has hepatitis B should get the vaccine. Infants born to mothers who have acute hepatitis B or have had the infection in the past should get a special hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth. The hepatitis B vaccine or a hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) shot may help prevent infection if you receive it within 24 hours of contact with the virus. Measures to avoid contact with blood and body fluids can help prevent the spread of hepatitis B from person-to-person.Hepatitis B virus Hepatitis B virus Digestive system Digestive system Aggressive hepatitis Aggressive hepatitis Hepatitis B Hepatitis B.Kim DK, Bridges CB, Harriman KH; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP); ACIP Adult Immunization Work Group. Advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP) recommended immunization schedules for adults aged 19 years and older -- United States, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015;64(4):91-92. PMID: 25654609 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25654609. LeFevre ML; US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for hepatitis B virus infection in nonpregnant adolescents and adults: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2014;161(1):58-66. PMID 24863637 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24863637. Pawlotsky J-M. Chronic viral and autoimmune hepatitis.Encyclopedia Entry for Hepatitis B :Hepatitis B virus. Orthohepadnavirus. Human, Chimpanzees. Sexual contact, blood. Associated with HepatitisEncyclopedia Entry for Hepatitis B :Hepatitis B: Approximately 2 billion people are infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), making it the most common infectious disease in the world today. Over 350 million of those infected never rid themselves of the infection. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that causes symptoms such as jaundice, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain; hepatitis B is the most serious form of the disease. Chronic infections can cause cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer in later years.Encyclopedia Entry for Hepatitis B :Hepatitis B virus. Orthohepadnavirus. Human, Chimpanzees. Sexual contact, blood. Associated with HepatitisEncyclopedia Entry for Hepatitis B :Hepatitis B. Source of disease: Hepatitis B virus