​​What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. Two thirds of people who have chronic hepatitis B are not aware of their infection. Hepatitis B screening tests are recommended by CDC for all adults and treatments are available to prevent serious outcomes. Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent this infection. 

How it Spreads

Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluids from a person infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. One way a person can be infected with the virus is through sex with a partner who has hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is not spread through sneezing, coughing, hugging, breastfeeding/chestfeeding, or through food or water.​

Signs and Symptoms

Many people with hepatitis B do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. If symptoms do occur from an acute infection, they can appear anytime from 2 weeks to 6 months after exposure. Symptoms of acute hepatitis can include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Dark urine
• Light-colored stools
• Joint pain
• Jaundice

For some people, hepatitis B is a short-term illness. For others, it can become a long-term, chronic infection that can lead to serious, even life-threatening health issues like liver disease or liver cancer.​

Two in three people with hepatitis B don’t know they have it.

Testing is the only way to know if you have hepatitis B. All adults 18 years and older should get tested at least once in their lifetime regardless of vaccination status. Blood tests can detect signs of the hepatitis B virus in your body and/or determine if you’re immune to hepatitis B.​

The best way to prevent hepatitis B is to get vaccinated.​

Who Should Get Vaccinated

The following people should get vaccinated for hepatitis B:

• All infants
• All children and adolescents younger than 19 years of age who have not been vaccinated
• Adults aged 19 through 59 years
• Adults aged 60 years and older with risk factors for hepatitis B
• The following groups may receive hepatitis B vaccination:
• Adults aged 60 years and older without known risk factors for hepatitis B
  

Possible Side Effects

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. Many people who get hepatitis B vaccine have no side effects at all. The most common side effects are usually mild and last one to two days.​

• Soreness, redness, or swelling in the arm where the shot was given
• Headache
• Fever

Resources

• CDC Hepatitis B Fact Sheet (PDF)
• CDC Hep B Patient Education Resources
• Hepatitis B Questions and Answers for the Public
• Know Hepatitis B (CDC)
• More Viral Hepatitis Resources
• Vaccine Information Statements in Several Languages​ ​
  

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