Hepatitis B

For people with celiac disease, vaccinations tend to work just as effectively as they do for the general population, with one notable exception: hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that is spread when bodily fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone not infected.

Patients with celiac disease are checked for hepatitis B immunity before they start treatment and adopt a gluten-free diet. If the level of antibodies in their blood is low, the guidelines recommend getting vaccinated again and then retesting to check if they have developed enough protective antibodies.

Celiac disease testing is recommended for individuals who do not respond to the hepatitis B vaccine and have not been previously diagnosed. Hepatitis B re-vaccination is recommended after starting a gluten-free diet.