Prevention:

All children should receive their first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, and complete their vaccination series by age 6 - 18 months. Children younger than age 19 who have not been vaccinated should receive "catch-up" doses.

People who are at high risk, including health care workers and those who live with someone with hepatitis B, should get the hepatitis B vaccine.

Infants born to mothers who either currently have acute hepatitis B or who have had the infection receive a special vaccination that includes hepatitis B immune globulin and a hepatitis B immunization within 12 hours of birth.

Screening of all donated blood has reduced the chance of getting hepatitis B from a blood transfusion. Mandatory reporting of the disease allows state health care workers to track people who have been exposed to the virus. The vaccine is given to those who have not yet developed the disease.

Avoid sexual contact with a person who has acute or chronic hepatitis B. Using condoms consistently and properly may also reduce your risk of developing this condition.