Hepatitis B Vaccine Risk

Hepatitis B is a contagious liver infection that can cause the liver to become inflamed and damaged. People can develop either acute or chronic hepatitis B. In acute cases, people develop a short-term illness. Chronic hepatitis B, however, is a lifelong condition in which the virus can cause serious liver problems and may even lead to death. Hepatitis B can be spread through contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected individuals. The best way to prevent it is to get the hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine carries a few risks, but the chances of experiencing a severe reaction are remote, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At the Injection Site

• According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about a quarter of the people who receive the hepatitis B vaccine will develop soreness or redness at the injection site. In most cases the pain is mild and will resolve within a day or two.

Fever

• About 25 percent of people who receive the hepatitis B immunization will develop a fever of 99.9 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, according to the CDC. The fever will usually subside within a day or two and can be treated with over-the-counter fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, if it becomes bothersome. However, infants and children should never be given aspirin to lower a fever because of the possibility of developing a potentially life-threatening condition called Reye's syndrome.

Severe Reactions

• Severe reactions to the hepatitis B vaccine are extremely rare, occurring in only 1 in 1.1 million people, according to the CDC. Signs of a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine include hives, difficulty breathing, a rapid heartbeat, paleness and wheezing. If you experience a severe reaction, seek medical help immediately.

Warnings

• Although the hepatitis B vaccine is safe and recommended for the vast majority of people, some people should not get it. People who are allergic to baker's yeast should not be immunized because it is a component of the vaccine. Individuals who have had a serious or life-threatening reaction to a prior dose of the vaccine should not receive further doses. Additionally, people who are sick should put off receiving the vaccine until they are feeling better.

Vaccination Schedule

• The CDC includes the hepatitis B vaccine in its immunization schedule for infants and children. The vaccine typically includes three or four doses. The first dose should be given to babies at birth and subsequent doses should be given at certain intervals. Older children who were not immunized at birth should also receive the vaccine, as should adults at high risk for the infection. This includes people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, people with multiple sex partners, those with chronic liver or kidney disease, and those who have jobs in which they are exposed to human blood or people with hepatitis B infections.