Many people have no symptoms and are unaware they are infected.
Others may experience jaundice, extreme tiredness and loss of appetite, while a small percentage may become chronic carriers of Hepatitis B for life, with a high risk of developing serious long-term liver disease. Transmission of HBV may occur through transmission of infected blood or blood products, through the use of contaminated syringes and needles or other dental and medical instruments. HBV can be contracted by any behavior in which a person's mucous membranes are exposed to an infected person's blood, semen, vaginal secretions or saliva. The Hepatitis B vaccine is actually a series of three vaccines. Routine immunization is recommended for all infants, as well as children and adults who are at increased risk of Hepatitis B infection, including health care workers, those sexually active with multiple partners, users of injectable drugs, recipients of large quantities of blood products, and travelers to areas outside of the USA that have high hepatitis B risk.