Protect your baby and your family.

1. Disease Prevention Perinatal Hepatitis B Hepatitis B – A Serious Disease • Pregnant? • Don’t put your child at risk. • WHAT IS HEPATITIS B? • Hepatitis B is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The Hepatitis B virus can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure and death. • HOW DO YOU GET HEPATITIS B? •  You can get Hepatitis B by: • Having any kind of sexual contact with a person with Hepatitis B • Sharing needles and personal hygienic products (e.g., razors, toothbrush) with a person with Hepatitis B • If you have Hepatitis B in your blood you can pass it to your baby through the birthing process Some Facts to consider • In 2002 approximately 4,021,726 women gave birth in the United States. Many of these women are carriers of Hepatitis B and may not know it. 90% of them can transmit the virus to their children. Early detection and vaccination is the key in breaking this cycle. • Babies born to women with the virus are given a hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine by 12 hours after birth and must continue the vaccine series in order to receive full protection. • Vaccines are available through your doctor or your County Health Department. • Abdominal pain • Anorexia/Loss of appetite • Clay colored stool • Dark urine • Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice) • Nausea & vomiting • *Some people may have no symptoms Signs and Symptoms of Acute Hepatitis* Protect your baby and your family.