Preventing Perinatal Hepatits B Infections

Hepatitis refers to syndromes or diseases causing inflammation of the liver. Viruses which cause hepatitis include Hepatitis B, E, C, and D. Even though each hepatitis virus has its unique syndrome, they all share some of the same symptoms and consequences. Presently, the most common type of hepatitis infection is Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and other body fluids. Examples such as: contact with blood in health care settings, unsafe sex with an infected person, blood transfusions, sharing needles during IV drug, receive tattoos, or acupuncture with contaminated instruments, and birth to a baby by an infected mother.

Hepatitis B may be an acute infection, or a chronic infection. Approximately 10% of people infected with the Hepatitis B virus develop a chronic form of the disease. An individual with chronic hepatitis is someone who carries the virus for the disease for life and does not have the active disease. These are the individuals who may not have any symptoms so they may not seek medical attention because they do not know they are sick. This allows them to transmit the disease to others without knowing that they are transmitting it. On the other hand an individual with acute Hepatitis B is someone who will seek medical attention right away because they start experiencing the symptoms associated with the Hepatitis B virus.

What Are The Symptoms of Hepatitis B?

It takes approximately one to six months from the time one is infected until the disease manifests. After this time they may experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, and muscle/joint pain. Then jaundice to their skin and dark urine/stools follows.

What Can Mothers Do?

Transmission of the Hepatitis B virus to perinataln the perinatal period contributes to the greatest risk of the chronic infection and death related to chronic liver disease. The majority of infants infected with the Hepatitis B virus can be treated properly only if screening is done early and treatment follows as needed.

Prenatal testing for the Hepatitis B virus is recommended for all women who are pregnant. Prenatal testing can also identify Hepatitis B carriers and infants can receive the appropriate medical attention if needed. All infants who are born to mothers who are infected with the Hepatitis B virus should receive the Hepatitis B immune globulin, and the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine with the first 24 hours, followed by the second and third doses of vaccine at 1 and 6 months of age.

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