Perinatal Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Reportable by Laboratories and Providers

About this Reportable Disease

Infectious agent: Hepatitis B virus

Description of illness:  Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a pregnant woman poses a serious risk to her infant at birth. Without post-exposure prophylaxis, approximately 40% of infants born to HBV-infected mothers in the United States will develop chronic HBV infection, approximately one-fourth of whom will eventually die from chronic liver disease. Perinatal HBV transmission can be prevented by identifying HBV-infected pregnant women and providing hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine to their infants within 12 hours of birth. After completion of the hepatitis B vaccine series, it is recommended that serologic testing be done at or above age 9 months to verify immunity or detect asymptomatic infection. Persons infected in infancy are typically asymptomatic until adulthood, when signs and symptoms of chronic liver disease or cancer may appear.

Interactive Disease Data


Laboratory Reporting for this Disease

Reporting requirements apply to all laboratories located within Tennessee, as well as laboratories outside of Tennessee that test residents of Tennessee, including laboratories located within healthcare facilities. Healthcare providers and laboratories in the same healthcare facility both have a duty to report. The type of organisms and analytes laboratories must report to TDH for 2026 are indicated, and there are several ways laboratories can report results to TDH.

Information about this Reportable Disease for Healthcare Providers

Clinical Summary

  • Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).
  • The virus spreads through contact with infected blood, semen, or other body fluids, and is highly contagious.
  • Most infected children under 5 show no symptoms, while older children and adults may develop fatigue, fever, nausea, jaundice, or joint pain.
  • Chronic infection can lead to serious complications, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death.
  • Prevention is primarily through vaccination, while treatment for chronic cases involves antiviral medications and supportive care.

Healthcare Provider Reporting

Healthcare reporting requirements apply to all providers located within Tennessee, as well as providers whose patients reside in Tennessee.

Providers must report cases of all diseases and conditions listed through one of these methods:

• Mail or fax a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department or fax to the state health office at (615) 741-3857

• Send automatically via electronic case reporting (eCR). See this TDH webpage for more information on eCR, register at the Trader Partner Registration website, or contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.

• Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting. 

• Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link. 

Information about this Reportable Disease for the Public

What It Is

Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV infection can be short (acute) or long-term (chronic). About 1 in 2 people with hepatitis B do not know they are infected. HBV is contagious and spreads through contact with infected blood and body fluids. Vaccination is the best way to prevent infection.

Types

Acute hepatitis B is a short-term illness that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to HBV. Some people with acute hepatitis B have no symptoms or only a mild illness. For others, acute hepatitis B can cause a more severe illness that requires hospitalization. Acute hepatitis B can lead to lifelong infection or chronic hepatitis B. Over time, chronic hepatitis B can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death. 

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of acute hepatitis B can include:

  • Dark urine or clay-colored stools
  • Feeling tired
  • Fever
  • Joint pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea, stomach pain, throwing up
  • Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)

Up to half of all older children, adolescents, and adults experience symptoms of acute hepatitis B. However, most children younger than 5 have no symptoms.

Treatment

Currently, there's no medicine available for acute hepatitis B. If you have mild symptoms, your doctor will recommend rest, good nutrition, and fluids. If your symptoms are more severe, you may need to be hospitalized. There are several medications approved to treat people who have chronic hepatitis B, and new drugs are in development. For some people with hepatitis B, these medications can prevent severe liver disease. However, not every person with chronic hepatitis B needs medication, and the drugs may cause side effects in some people. People who start hepatitis B treatment may need to take medication for the rest of their lives because these medications do not lead to a cure. 

This Page Last Updated: March 25, 2026 at 8:53 PM