Mother to Child Infection

 

Can I pass the infection onto my child?

 

There is a high risk of passing hepatitis B to your baby during birth (perinatally).  This is the most common way the virus is passed on globally.  Vaccination of the baby at birth prevents the majority of infections.  It is highly unusual for the virus to be transmitted to an unborn baby in the uterus.

 

Small amounts of the virus have been found in breast milk, however at the moment the risk from breastfeeding is not fully understood.  Vaccination of the baby at birth can prevent transmission.

 

Since April 2000 all pregnant women in the UK are tested for hepatitis B.  This gives the best possible chance of stopping infection of the child at birth.

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Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework 

The Scottish Government has published the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework to tackle Hepatitis B in Scotland.
> Download Framework