Guidance

Hepatitis B: the green book, chapter 18

Hepatitis B immunisation information for public health professionals.

Documents

Hepatitis B: the green book, chapter 18

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Details

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Many individuals with a new infection with hepatitis B may have a sub-clinical or a flu-like illness. Jaundice only occurs in about 10% of younger children and in 30 to 50% of adults. Acute infection may occasionally lead to fulminant hepatic necrosis, which is often fatal.

Published 20 March 2013
Last updated 7 February 2022 + show all updates
  1. Updated table 18.4, description under table 18.1 and dosage section on page 5.

  2. Removed previous edition of chapter.

  3. Revised table 18 (August 2017 version): amended Hepatitis B prophylaxis for reported exposure incidents.

  4. Revised hepatitis B green book chapter.

  5. Chapter amended to clarify Thiomersal preservative is not used in hepatitis B vaccines available in the UK.

  6. This chapter has been updated with minor editorial amends plus 1 change in policy: for travellers who have completed the primary course of vaccination, a booster at 5 years is no longer recommended.

  7. Updated Body text to include link to Green Book chapter update patches on the National Archives website. Added link to NHS choices.

  8. First published.