Decades after HBV infection, patients can develop liver failure and require a liver transplant. Because there is no cure for HBV infections, patients often have recurrent liver disease after a transplant.

The virus is found in blood, saliva, semen and other bodily fluids, even tears, and it can live on surfaces for up to seven days. A child with a wound who comes into contact with that surface — even days later — could become infected, says Anita Patel, a pediatrician and pediatric critical care physician in Washington, D.C.

The CDC's vaccine advisory panel meets Thursday and Friday to discuss recommendations for the hepatitis B vaccine and the schedule of childhood shots.

Childhood vaccinations in South Dakota, including for Hepatitis B, have dropped slightly however, as of last school year, remain above 90 percent.