Getting vaccinated can prevent Hepatitis B infection. Check with your healthcare provider to ensure that you are a candidate for a Hepatitis B vaccination.
There are a few exceptions for not getting vaccinated, but they’re very rare. One reason could be if the person has a life-threatening allergy to baker’s yeast or to any component of the Hep B vaccine. Another is if the person experienced a life-threatening allergic reaction to the previous Hep B vaccine dose. Lastly, if the person is moderate to severely ill by the time they are due for the next vaccine dose. In this case, it’s best to wait until the person fully recovers to get the next vaccine dose.
If you discover you are Hepatitis B positive, you may still be vaccinated depending on the circumstance of getting infected.
If you were infected by:
Healthcare providers typically treat as follows:
Unprotected sex:
A single vaccine dose is given within 14 days of the most recent contact.
A needle or sharp object:
A single vaccine dose is given as soon as possible. Ideally, within 24 hours of being exposed. Then follow the typical vaccine schedule.
Although rare in the United States, expecting mothers that are Hepatitis B positive during pregnancy can still help their unborn child. This involves having the infant vaccinated within the first 12 hours of birth followed by a second a third dose 1-2 and 6 months later.