Hepatitis B Information
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Background Information for Hepatitis B
The Hepatitis B Vaccine
Who Should Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine?
Who Should Not Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine?
Background Information for Hepatitis B
Hepatitis is any infection or inflammation of the liver, and the hepatitis
B virus is an important cause of hepatitis. Hepatitis B strikes 150,000 -
200,000 people in the United States each year. Of these, approximately 1%
will die, and 10% will become chronic carriers who are capable of passing
the disease to others and frequently develop long term liver problems such
as cirrhosis and cancer.
Hepatitis B is spread in the same ways as HIV. Therefore the only ways to catch it is either at birth from an infected mother, by being stuck with a contaminated needle, or through sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, and possibly oral). In the United States, nearly half of all cases are contracted through heterosexual intercourse. Donating blood, or having blood tests taken at a health facility carries no risk. The hepatitis B virus is much easier to pass than HIV, with the risk of infection following exposure approximately 10 times that of HIV.
In addition to the vaccine, it is important to protect yourself by not sharing needles or having intercourse without using condoms. Rutgers students need also be careful about tattoos and body piercing. While most parlors will use new, sterile needles there is no state agency that assures this. Thus, if you do go for a tattoo/piercing, make sure you go to a reputable location and actually watch them remove the needle from a new package.
The Hepatitis B Vaccine
The hepatitis B vaccine is one of the safest vaccines ever developed. It
is not a live virus, so there is no chance of contracting hepatitis or any
other disease from the shot. While it is now routinely given to all
infants in the U.S., it was not yet invented when today's college students
were born.
The vaccine is a series of 3 shots, most commonly given over a period of six months. It is extremely well tolerated, with side effects consisting of the possibility of some mild arm soreness and fatigue, headache, or fever.
Center for Disease Control Vaccine Information Statement
Who Should Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine?
This vaccine is required for all students taking 12 or more credits per semester. In addition, since this is a disease that strikes sexually active adults, the hepatitis
B vaccine should be considered by all students who have not yet been
immunized. In particular all men who have sex with men, those who wish to work in health
care, injection drug users, sexual contacts of those who carry hepatitis
B, and those with multiple sexual partners or a history of any sexually
transmitted disease are at increased risk and should be immunized.
Who Should Not Get the Hepatitis B Vaccine?
This is an exceedingly safe vaccine. The very rare individuals who have
had a severe reaction to a previous hepatitis B immunization should not
get another one. Students who have a moderate or severe illness should
wait until they are not ill. While there is no reason to believe it would
harm a developing fetus, pregnant women are usually advised to wait.
Last Modified 02/06/2007