Hepatitis B factsheet
Introduction
Hepatitis B (HBV) is a virus that can cause inflammation and damage to the liver.
HBV spreads through direct contact with body fluids, like blood, that carry the virus.
Children and teenagers can get HBV through:
- birth, if their mother has an active HBV infection
- sharing needles
- getting a piercing or tattoo with equipment that is not sterile or free of germs
- using medical equipment that is not sterile or free of germs
- sexual contact with someone who has HBV
- sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes with someone who has HBV
HBV can lead to severe illness in adulthood, including:
- cirrhosis - scarring of the liver
- liver cancer
- needing a liver transplant – surgery to replace a damaged liver with a healthy donated one.
Signs and symptoms
Most children with HBV have no symptoms.
If symptoms appear, they may develop slowly, a few months after infection and can include:
- loss of appetite and energy
- pain on the upper right side of the belly, where the liver is
- vomiting
- fever and rash
- jaundice - yellow skin and eyes.
- dark urine and pale or white poo
- painful or swollen joints.
Symptoms may be more severe in children with weakened immune systems or liver disease.
Children can spread HBV:
- up to three months before symptoms appear
- until the virus is cleared or managed with medication.
Diagnosis
HBV is diagnosed with a blood test. This is recommended for:
- babies born to a mother with HBV at around nine months of age
- children and teenagers in contact with HBV through high-risk activities like:
- sharing needles
- getting piercings or tattoos with equipment that is not sterile or free of germs
- sexual contact
- sharing hygiene tools like razors or toothbrushes.
Treatment
Children with HBV need regular check-ups with their doctor or HBV clinic to check their:
- growth and development
- liver health
- medicines that affect the liver
- childhood immunisations.
Treatment options will depend on your child and will be discussed with the treatment team.
In rare cases, antiviral medication may be needed to stop the virus from growing.
Some children will get rid of the virus without treatment.
Treatment at home may include:
- rest
- small, regular meals
- drinking plenty of fluids
- avoiding alcohol.
Management
Chronic hepatitis B
If a child has HBV for more than six months, it is called chronic hepatitis B.
This can increase the risk of:
- liver scarring
- liver failure
- liver cancer.
Children and teenagers with chronic hepatitis B will need to:
- have health and liver checks every 6–12 months
- take antiviral medicine
- eat well and stay active
- avoid alcohol and drugs.
Hepatitis B vaccination
The best way to protect your child from HBV is vaccination.
The HBV vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program and given at:
- birth
- 6-8 weeks
- four months
- six months.
Side effects of the HBV vaccine can include:
- pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
- mild fever
- mild headache.
The vaccine does not cure HBV in children who already have it.
Family members of children with HBV should get tested and vaccinated. Children with HBV should also get the hepatitis A vaccine.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant and have HBV, talk to your doctor. Medicine during pregnancy can help lower the chance of passing the virus to your baby.
After birth, your baby will get:
- the HBV vaccination
- an injection of hepatitis B immunoglobulin.
These reduce the chance of infection to 10%.
HBV is not spread through breast milk. It is safe to breastfeed unless your nipples are cracked or bleeding.
If your nipples are cracked or bleeding:
- stop feeding from the affected nipple
- express and discard milk
- return to breastfeeding from the affected nipple once healed.
Speak to your doctor if you are unsure.
Blood awareness and safety
To reduce the risk of spreading HBV:
- clean blood spills quickly using gloves
- cover cuts with waterproof band-aids
- don’t share razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers.
School and daycare
You are not required by law to tell your child’s school or daycare that they have HBV.
You can choose who to tell, such as family or friends. It’s a good idea to tell your child’s doctor and dentist so they can treat your child safely.
You may need to share your child’s HBV status in some situations, like:
- applying for some types of insurance
- applying for a visa to live in Australia.
Speak to your child’s doctor if you’re unsure or need support.
Resources and more information
- Factsheet - Breastfeeding, Hepatitis B & pregnancy (Women’s and Newborn Health, Westmead Hospital) (opens in a new tab)
- Factsheet - NSW immunisation schedule (Women’s and Newborn Health, Westmead Hospital) (opens in a new tab)
- Factsheet - Pregnancy and breastfeeding with hepatitis B (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby) (opens in a new tab)
title
Hepatitis NSW
title
Hepatitis Australia
