Hepatitis B in Children

Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Your child’s treatment will depend on what’s causing their hepatitis. The goal of treatment is to stop damage to your child’s liver. It’s also to help ease symptoms. Your child’s treatment may include:

Supportive care: This includes eating a healthy diet and getting enough rest.

Reducing risk. This includes not using alcohol or illegal drugs.

Blood testing. This can tell if the disease is progressing.

Helping to prevent the spread of viral hepatitis. This includes having good personal health (hygiene) habits, such as handwashing.

Hepatitis B is spread when blood from an infected person enters another person’s body. It can be spread through needlesticks and sharp instruments. It can also be spread by sharing personal items such as razors and toothbrushes.

Babies may catch the virus during pregnancy if their mother has the virus. Children can spread it to others through household contact or through scrapes or cuts.

The following children are at risk for hepatitis B:
Children born to mothers with hepatitis B

Children born to mothers who have come from a country where hepatitis B is widespread. These include Southeast Asia and China.