Immunizations: Hepatitis B Virus

Hepatitis B spreads through bodily fluids (like blood, semen, or spit):

• During sexual contact.
• By sharing needles, syringes, or other ways of injecting drugs.
• By sharing razors or toothbrushes.
• By passing it to your baby at birth if you’re infected while pregnant.

Anyone can get hepatitis B. However, these people are at greater risk:

• Anyone who has unprotected sex.
• Health care workers.
• People on dialysis.
• People who inject drugs.
• Others who handle needles often.

You could have hepatitis B and not know it. Many infected people don’t have any symptoms but still spread the disease to others. If a person does have symptoms, they may start between six weeks and six months after being exposed to the virus. Symptoms can include:

A person who is infected with the virus for a long time may develop health problems. These problems could include liver damage, liver failure, cancer, or death.

The best way to prevent hepatitis B is to get vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends hepatitis B vaccines for:

• Infants.
• Children and teens who aren’t fully vaccinated against hepatitis B.
• Adults who aren’t fully vaccinated against hepatitis B.

You need to get all shots in the series to be fully protected. Find out if you and your children are protected against hepatitis B. Check our Department of Health Services (DHS) Wisconsin Immunization Registry.

If you’re worried about cost, your family may be eligible for free vaccines. Read about our Vaccines For Children and Vaccines For Adults programs.

• Statewide Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B Surveillance Report, 2023, P-00440A (PDF)
• Milwaukee County Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B Surveillance Report, 2023, P-00440B (PDF)
• Syndemics Surveillance Report, 2023, P-00440C (PDF)
• DHS fact sheet—Hepatitis B, P-42055
• Protect your baby against hepatitis B, P-44562
• CDC disease overview—Hepatitis B
• CDC testing and treatment campaign—Know Hepatitis B
• CDC vaccine information statement—Hepatitis B
• National Institute of Health journal articles—Hepatitis B
• CDC—Vaccine safety

Hepatitis B is a Wisconsin Disease Surveillance Category II disease.

Report a recognized case to the patient’s local public health department. Within 72 hours, submit a case report through one of the following:

• Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS)
• Mail or fax—Acute and Communicable Disease Case Report, F44151 (Word)

Read more about required disease reporting in Wisconsin.

Case reporting and public health guidelines

• Case Reporting and Investigation Protocol (previously called EpiNet)—Hepatitis B, P-01872 (PDF)
• CDC recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the prevention of Hepatitis B
• CDC form—Viral Hepatitis Case Report (PDF)
• DHS letter, dated April 2016—Reminder and Recall for Hepatitis B Vaccine and Post-Vaccination Serologic Testing (PDF)
• Give birth to the end of Hep B
• DHS—Reporting a positive HBsAg laboratory result, P-01112 (PDF)
• DHS—Wisconsin Hepatitis B Case Classification Algorithm for Surveillance (PDF)
• DHS—Wisconsin Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program Manual, P-44502 (PDF)
• Wisconsin State Library of Hygiene—Clinical Testing Reference Manual