Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program (PHBPP)

Frequently Asked Questions for the Public

1. Why should all pregnant women be tested for hepatitis B?

Because babies are extremely vulnerable to contracting the hepatitis B virus from their mothers during the birth process due to exposure to the mothers blood at that time. Those babies exposed to a mother who has hepatitis B have a 75% chance of developing hepatitis and possibly liver cancer or cirrhosis in their lifetimes.

2. Why do I need to be tested for hepatitis B with this pregnancy if I was negative for hepatitis B with my last baby?

Being tested does not protect you from the virus. If you have not received the hepatitis B vaccine series, you could have become infected since your last pregnancy/baby. Assuming you are hepatitis B negative is placing your unborn infant at risk. Give your baby the very safest start in life.

3. Is hepatitis B a problem for babies born in Florida?

Yes! In 2003, approximately 552 pregnant women screened positive for the hepatitis B virus here in Florida. Without proper preventive measures, there is a high risk that the infant of a pregnant woman who has hepatitis B will become infected with the hepatitis B virus as well.

4. How do you get hepatitis B?

Anyone can get hepatitis B. It is spread from an infected person during birth from mother to child, by unprotected sex, by contact with blood, by sharing personal items such as razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers that may have blood or other body fluids on them, sharing needles in body piercing, tattooing, injecting drugs or acupuncture. It is not spread by sneezing, coughing, sharing dishes, holding hands, hugging or kissing on the lips.

5. What are the symptoms for hepatitis B?

Some people who become infected might have loss of appetite, yellow skin and eyes, nausea, vomiting, fever, weakness, tiredness, abdominal pain, joint pain and dark urine. Most people who get hepatitis B dont look or feel sick when they first get the virus.

6. I have chronic hepatitis B but my doctor said I am OK. Is this a problem for my baby?

Yes! When you are chronic you can still infect others, in other words, you are a carrier. Your baby comes in contact with your blood during delivery putting the baby at high-risk for getting the virus from you.

7. What makes a baby high-risk for hepatitis B?

There are two reasons a baby is considered high-risk: 1) Being born to a mother known to have hepatitis B; 2) the mothers hepatitis B status is unknown at delivery.

8. Ive had the vaccines for hepatitis B. Im pregnant and my test came back positive for hepatitis B. How can this be?

If you had chronic hepatitis B before receiving the vaccines, the vaccines will not change the fact that you have hepatitis B.

9. Im a chronic carrier for hepatitis B. Should I get the vaccine?

The vaccine is used to prevent the disease. Once a person is infected with the virus, the vaccine has no benefit. Being immunized would be injecting the person with vaccine for no purpose or benefit and would be using doses that could be appropriately given to someone else.

10. Is it safe to breast-feed my baby if I have hepatitis B?

Yes! It is safe even immediately after delivery. However, the baby should get Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth. Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to provide your baby with protection against many illnesses.

11. Why is it so important for my baby to get the hepatitis B immunizations on time?

It is important to get all three doses on time, as the younger a person is, the more likely it is that they will become infected. The best protection comes from getting all three vaccines on time. The schedule for the high-risk baby is slightly different, with the first vaccine being given within 12 hours of birth, and the second and third doses are given at 1 and 6 months of age, respectively. The baby will need to have a blood test done 3 months after the last dose was administered in the series to see if the immune system responded to the vaccine.

12. Im pregnant and just found out I have hepatitis B. Is this a problem for my other children?

You should make sure your other children have had all three immunizations for hepatitis B. If not, they need to finish the vaccine series. Unless you know for sure you did not have Hepatitis B when your other children were born, they should have blood drawn to make sure they do not have the virus, and that they have the protection they need. If they are not yet protected, they can get more shots. To protect them and others, see the answer to question 4 and consult with your health care provider.

13. Im pregnant and just found out I have hepatitis B. Should I see a special doctor?

Yes. You should see a liver specialist (gastroenterologist or hepatologist) right away. Let the doctor know you are pregnant. Your sex partner, children and other people living in your house should be tested for hepatitis B. If they do not have the virus they should get vaccinated. If they do have the virus they should also see a specialist. The county health department can help you find a provider and answer your questions.

14. I am adopting a baby from another country. Should the baby be tested for hepatitis B?

Yes, the baby should be tested as soon as possible. If the baby does not have the virus she/he should start the vaccine series right away. If the baby does have the virus she/he should see a liver specialist right away.

15. I am HBsAg-positive and my baby weighed less than 2 kilograms at birth. Is it true that my baby will need four doses of the hepatitis B vaccine instead of three doses?

Yes. The initial vaccine dose (birth dose) should not be counted in the three-dose schedule. The next dose in the series should be administered when your baby is 1 month old. The third dose should be given 1-2 months after the second dose, and the fourth dose should be given at 6 months of age.