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Why should all pregnant women be tested for hepatitis B?
Florida law requires testing of all pregnant women to allow for the follow-up of the woman to the Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program. Refer to Chapter 381.0031, Chapter 384.25, and Chapter 384.33, Florida Statutes (FS), along with Chapter 64D-3.040 and Chapter 64D-3.042, Florida Administrative Code (FAC). Babies are extremely vulnerable to contracting the hepatitis B virus (HBV) from their mothers due to exposure to her blood during the birth process. Babies exposed to a mother who has hepatitis B have a 75% chance of developing hepatitis B and possibly liver cancer or cirrhosis in their lifetime.
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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. Give your baby the very safest start in life by knowing your status.
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Is hepatitis B a problem for babies born in Florida?
Yes! Without proper preventive measures, there is a high-risk that the baby of a woman who has hepatitis B will become infected with the HBV as well.
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How do you get hepatitis B?
Anyone can get hepatitis B. It is spread from an infected person during birth, by unprotected sex, by contact with blood, by sharing personal items such as razors, toothbrushes, or 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.
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What are the symptoms of 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 don't look or feel sick when they first get the virus.
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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.
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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 mother's hepatitis B status is unknown at delivery.
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I've had the vaccines for hepatitis B. I'm 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.
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I'm 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.
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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.
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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 schedule for the high-risk baby is slightly different, with the first vaccine given within 12 hours of birth, and the second and third doses 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.
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I'm pregnant and just found out I have hepatitis B. Is this a problem for my other children?
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 and not infected, they should be vaccinated.You should make sure your other children have had all three doses of hepatitis B. If not, they need to finish the vaccine series. To protect them and others, see the answer to question 4 and consult with your healthcare provider.
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I'm 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, 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. Your local County Health Department (CHD) can help you find a provider and answer your questions.
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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.
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I am hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive and my baby weighed less than 4 pounds 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.
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This page was last modified on: 08/30/2012 04:21:05