Some people infected with HBV are considered chronic carriers of the virus. There are about 1.5 million HBV carriers in the United States. Infants are now routinely vaccinated against HBV, as are health-care workers and others who regularly come in contact with blood and bodily fluids that may be infected. HBV is the only STD that is preventable through a vaccine. The infection usually clears up within 4 to 8 weeks.
Some people remain contagious for the rest of their lives.
The virus poses a risk to newborns. Infants born to women with HBV must be treated within an hour of birth or they will carry the virus. A pregnant woman who may have been exposed to HBV should talk to her doctor about being tested before giving birth. If the test is positive, the baby can be vaccinated at birth. Your doctor will order a blood test to confirm the diagnosis.