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Public Health > Diseases and Conditions > Diseases A-Z > Disease Details

Hepatitis B (vaccine-preventable)

 Factsheet
Hepatitis B (formerly known as serum hepatitis) is a liver disease caused by a virus. The disease is fairly common. Hepatitis B virus can be found in the blood and, to a lesser extent, saliva, semen and other body fluids of an infected person. It is spread by direct contact with infected body fluids, usually by needle stick injury or sexual contact. Hepatitis B virus is not spread by casual contact. Childhood immunization is recommended.


Disease Reporting

What is required?

Health care providers and clinical laboratories are required by law to report cases and suspect cases of both acute and chronic Hepatitis B to local health departments within one working day of identification. Children in the communicable stages of Hepatitis B may be excluded from attending school or day care if, in the opinion of the local health officer, the child poses an unusually high risk to other children (e.g., exhibits uncontrollable biting or spitting). If sufficient measures have been taken to prevent transmission, or the disease is no longer communicable, worksite, child-care and school restrictions can be removed by the local public health authority.


Disease reporting form (pdf) for health-care practitioners


See our disease reporting page for information on how to report and for telephone numbers of local health departments.

For county health departments:

Hepatitis B (acute): Investigative guidelines (pdf) (1/12)
Hepatitis B (chronic): Investigative guidelines (pdf) (4/11)

Guidelines for the Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program (pdf) (11/06)

Hepatitis B (acute): Case report form (pdf) 
Hepatitis B (chronic) (pdf)

Perinatal case report form (pdf) (11/06)

Data

Hepatitis B, Acute (pdf) from the 2011 Oregon Communicable Disease Summary

Hepatitis B, Chronic (pdf) from the 2011 Oregon Communicable Disease Summary

See Also

Brochures

  • All Babies Need Hepatitis B Shots
    Order from Oregon Health Services, Immunization Program, 971-673-0300
  • Parents: Make Sure Your Child Stays in the 7th Grade
    Order from Oregon Health Services, Immunization Program, 971-673-0300.
  • Protect Your Baby With Hepatitis B Shots
    Order from the CDC Hepatitis Hotline, 404/332-4555.
  • Prevent Hepatitis B: Get Vaccinated
    Order from the CDC Hepatitis Hotline, 404/332-4555.

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