Hepatitis B

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. This can be caused by virus infections and the most serious type is hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy or at birth. The baby will probably not be ill, but often becomes a carrier of the virus and may go on to suffer from serious liver disease later in life.

This can now be prevented. Pregnant women are screened for the virus using a blood test. Babies born to infected mothers are immunised within two days after they’re born with a three-dose course of hepatitis B vaccine. This provides long-lasting protection and prevents babies from becoming carriers. It’s important that your child is given all three doses.