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How can I protect my child from hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a liver infection that can be prevented with a vaccine given soon after birth.
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What it is
Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus [2]. The infection can be acute (short and severe) or chronic (long term) [2]. Chronic infection puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer [2].
The virus spreads through contact with infected body fluids such as blood, vaginal fluids, semen and saliva when there are open cuts or sores [2]. It can also pass from a mother to her baby [2]. In areas where the virus is common, it is often passed from mother to child during birth, or between children in the first 5 years of life [5].
When adults get the infection, it becomes chronic in fewer than 5% of cases. In babies and young children, that figure is close to 95% [5]. This is why vaccinating babies and children matters so much [5].
According to WHO, 240 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B in 2024, with 0.9 million new infections each year [3]. In 2024, hepatitis B caused an estimated 1.1 million deaths, mostly from cirrhosis and primary liver cancer [3].
What you can do at home
- Get your baby vaccinated. All babies should receive the hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible after birth, within 24 hours [1]. This is followed by two or three more doses, at least four weeks apart [1].
- If you are pregnant, ask your doctor about testing for hepatitis B. Testing all pregnant women is recommended so that steps can be taken to prevent passing the virus to the baby [8].
- If a mother has hepatitis B, transmission can be prevented with antiviral medicines for the mother plus the vaccine for the baby shortly after birth [1].
- Practise safe sex by using condoms [1].
- Do not share needles or any equipment used for injecting drugs, piercing or tattooing [1].
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact with blood, body fluids or contaminated surfaces [1].
- If you work in a health-care setting, get vaccinated against hepatitis B [1].
Booster vaccines are not usually needed for people who have completed the three-dose series [1]. The vaccine protects for at least 20 years and probably for life [1]. It offers nearly 100% protection against the virus [2].
When to see a doctor or go to the emergency department
Hepatitis B cannot be told apart from other forms of hepatitis just by symptoms, so the diagnosis must be confirmed with blood tests [8]. See your doctor if you think you or your child may have been exposed to the virus, or if you are pregnant and have not been tested [8].
Go to the emergency department or call your local emergency number if your child has severe symptoms. The sources do not list specific warning signs for hepatitis B, so trust your judgement: a baby who is very unwell, difficult to wake, not feeding, or who has yellow skin or eyes needs urgent medical attention.
Common questions
Is there a vaccine? Yes. Hepatitis B can be prevented with a vaccine that is safe, available and effective [3]. The vaccine is usually given soon after birth, with further doses a few weeks later [2].
Do we need boosters? Booster vaccines are not usually required for people who have completed the three-dose vaccination series [1].
How do I know if someone has hepatitis B? Only blood tests can confirm it [8]. Some tests show whether the infection is acute or chronic, and others check how much the liver is affected [8]. Physical examinations, ultrasound or elastography may also be used to check the liver [8].
Do we need the vaccine for travel? Hepatitis B is one of the vaccines that may be recommended for travel to some countries [4]. Some countries require proof of certain vaccinations for entry [4]. Check with your doctor or a travel clinic [4].
Can hepatitis B be cured? The sources do not describe a cure. They describe prevention through vaccination and, for mothers with the virus, antiviral medicines to prevent transmission to the baby [1].
Sources
[1] WHO — “Hepatitis B”, section “Prevention”, p. 1 — https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b [2] WHO — “Hepatitis B”, section “Overview”, p. 1 — https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b [3] WHO — “Hepatitis B”, section “Key facts”, p. 1 — https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b [4] MedlinePlus — “Traveler’s guide to avoiding infectious diseases”, section “COVID-19”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001925.htm [5] WHO — “Hepatitis B”, section “Transmisión”, p. 1 — https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b [8] WHO — “Hepatitis B”, section “Diagnóstico”, p. 1 — https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b
This guide summarises published paediatric guidelines. It is not medical advice and does not replace your paediatrician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
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