Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B virus.

How is Hepatitis B spread?

Hepatitis B is spread through direct contact with infected blood, semen or other body fluids. This can happen through sexual contact, sharing needles or other drug equipment, or from mother to baby at birth.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B?

Children under the age of five rarely experience any symptoms. Approximately 70 per cent of adults infected with the Hepatitis B virus will experience symptoms.

Common symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, nausea, tenderness in the upper right side of the stomach area, dark-coloured urine, clay-coloured stools, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.

What are the risks of Hepatitis B?

About 90 per cent of adults infected with Hepatitis B recover within six months. However, about 90 per cent of infected babies and 10 per cent of infected adults will develop chronic infection for life. Chronic Hepatitis B can cause cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure and death. A person with chronic Hepatitis B also has a higher risk of being infected with another viral hepatitis.

How can I prevent getting Hepatitis B?

The best way to not get Hepatitis B is to get immunized. The Hepatitis B vaccine is safe. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get the disease. When you get immunized, you help protect others as well.

Who should get the Hepatitis B vaccine?

The Hepatitis B vaccine is provided free to:

• Babies at two, four and six months of age as part of the B.C. routine immunization schedule
• Those born in 1980 or later that have never received the vaccine or the recommended number of doses for their age
• Children and adults at high risk for infection

Get immunized against Hepatitis B by making an appointment with your doctor, pharmacist (for those 5 years and older) or Public Health.

Learn where to get immunized and how to book an appointment