Hepatitis B is a type of viral infection that targets the liver. The infection can cause inflammation, leading to widespread liver scarring. This can disrupt liver function. Children can get hepatitis B during or after birth. Contact with infected persons also makes them prone to the infection if they are not vaccinated.

A child may not have any symptoms after they contract hepatitis B, making it difficult for parents and doctors to catch it and treat the symptoms. This may result in serious health complications for the child. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no precise treatment for this condition and this makes vaccination essential.  

Liver Cirrhosis

A chronic hepatitis B infection makes your child highly susceptible to liver cirrhosis. This refers to a scarring of the liver. Vaccinating your child can help to prevent this complication.

The scarring can occur several years after your child contracts the hepatitis B infection. Parents are advised to take their infants for immunisation in the initial year of life. Three vaccine doses are administered during this period.

Treatment is offered to relieve cirrhosis symptoms but a liver transplant may be the only solution in some cases.

Liver Cancer

Taking your child for a hepatitis B vaccine can reduce their risk of developing liver cancer. This is one of the complications of chronic hepatitis B. It affects nearly 1 in 10 hepatitis B patients.

This form of cancer is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. For this reason, only 1 in 5 hepatitis patients live for at least a year after the diagnosis.

Liver Failure

A hepatitis B vaccine can reduce your child's chances of developing liver failure. This condition occurs when the hepatitis virus damages a large area of the liver, interfering with its normal functions.

The damage can be reversed if the condition is diagnosed early. If your child's liver has been damaged over several months or years, a transplant is necessary.  

Hepatitis D Infection

A hepatitis B infection makes your child vulnerable to hepatitis D. This is a severe liver infection and it can increase the severity of hepatitis B symptoms. There is no vaccine for this infection but it can be prevented if your child is immunised against hepatitis B. This infection only develops in people who already have hepatitis B.

Kidney Problems

A child infected with hepatitis B is more likely to develop kidney problems, disrupting normal functions. Kidney problems can lead to kidney failure if they are not addressed promptly. Vaccinating your child can prevent this health complication.

Hepatitis B infections can cause several serious health complications. Vaccinating your child against this infection can protect them from kidney problems, liver failure, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and hepatitis D. Visit an immunisation clinic to consult with a doctor and get this vaccination for your child.