Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) that's spread through blood and body fluids. Symptoms of hepatitis B can include:
In Hong Kong, around 8% of the population are HBV carriers. It often doesn't cause any obvious symptoms in adults and typically passes in a few months without treatment. But in children, it often persists for years and may eventually cause serious liver damage.
Hepatitis B can be spread by:
Who should be vaccinated against hepatitis B?
What does hepatitis B immunisation involve?
Full protection involves having 3 injections of the hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix B) at the recommended intervals (over 6 months) and for most individuals it provides a lifelong protection against HBV. Hepatitis B vaccine is included in the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme since 1988. People who was born before or with incomplete immunisation is recommended to receive a booster dose.
The hepatitis B vaccine is very safe. Other than some redness and soreness at the site of the injection, side effects are rare. It's an inactivated (killed) vaccine, so it can't cause the infection itself.
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