Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. This virus causes a flu-like illness with loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, rashes, joint pain and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin). Some people fight off the infection, but the virus can stay in the liver of some people for the rest of their lives. These people are chronic carriers. About 1 in 4 chronic carriers will die as a result of severe liver disease or cancer. The younger the age when hepatitis B is contracted, the higher the risk of becoming a chronic carrier.

Hepatitis B usually spreads through contact with blood or other body fluids from someone who is acutely or chronically infected. This can happen through sexual contact, by sharing a razor or a toothbrush, by sharing needles used to inject drugs, or by being tattooed with a shared needle. An infected pregnant woman can expose her newborn to this virus during birth or by caring for the baby. (This can be prevented with good medical care - learn more about the Perinatal Hepatitis B Program.)

Among children, hepatitis B is second only to chickenpox as the most common vaccine-preventable disease; all children should be immunized against this disease. Hepatitis B vaccine is given to children and adults in a series of shots.

One out of 20 people in the United States will get hepatitis B some time during their lives. Your risk is higher if you:

• Have sex with someone infected with hepatitis B
• Have sex with more than one partner
• Are a man and have sex with a man
• Live in the same house with someone who has lifelong (chronic) hepatitis B infection
• Have a job that involves contact with human blood
• Inject/shoot drugs
• Are a patient or work in a home for the developmentally disabled
• Have hemophilia
• Travel to areas where hepatitis B is common