Hepatitis B: Prevention
Infectious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus, spread primarily through sexual contact or through perinatal (vertical) transmission; now preventable by vaccine. Approximately 5% of acute hepatitis B cases become chronic.
Part of: Hepatitis B
About Hepatitis B Prevention
You can avoid getting hepatitis B by receiving the hepatitis B vaccine.
Vaccines are medicines that keep you from getting sick. Vaccines teach the body to attack specific viruses and infections. The hepatitis B vaccine teaches your body to attack the hepatitis B virus.
Since the 1980s, a hepatitis B vaccine has been available and should be given to newborns and children in the United States. Adults at higher risk of getting hepatitis B should also get the vaccine.
The hepatitis B vaccine is given in three shots over 6 months. You must get all three hepatitis B vaccine shots to be fully protected.
If you are traveling to countries where hepatitis B is common, try to get all the shots before you go. If you don’t have time to get all the shots before you travel, get as many as you can. Even one shot may provide some protection against the virus.
You can protect yourself and others from getting hepatitis B if you
use a condom during sex do not share drug needles and other drug materials … More about Hepatitis B PreventionNIH – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases