How we can prevent hepatitis -B?

***Testing & Vaccination:

1. The hepatitis B vaccine offers excellent protection against HBV. The vaccine is safe and highly effective. Vaccination consists of 3 doses of vaccine (shots) over the course of 6 months. Protection lasts for 20 years to life.

2. The CDC recommends hepatitis B vaccine for persons traveling to countries where HBV is common.

3. If you have one or more risk factors for hepatitis B infection, you should get a simple HBV blood test. The blood test will determine whether you are:
-immune to hepatitis B; or
-susceptible to hepatitis B and need vaccination; or
-infected with hepatitis B and need further evaluation by a physician.

4. The basic test for acute HBV infection is called the “Hepatitis B Core IgM Antibody test.” People who have acute hepatitis B show positive IgM antibodies on this test.

***Perinatal Hepatitis:
1. If the mother is HBV-infected, she will pass the infection to the baby during the birth process, unless the baby gets immunized within hours of birth.

2. Giving the infant HBIG (hepatitis B immune globulin) and HBV vaccine right away will reliably prevent infection of the infant.

3. Other family members should be best tested for hepatitis B too, and given a vaccine if they are not already infected or immune.

***Healthy Habits: (The best way to prevent hepatitis B is with vaccination. Other ways to reduce your risk of getting hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV).

1. Do not inject drugs. If you do inject drugs, stop and get into a treatment program. If you can’t stop, never share needles, syringes, water, or “works”.

2. Do not share personal care items that might have blood on them (razors, toothbrushes).

3. If you are a health care or public safety worker, follow universal blood/body fluid precautions and safely handle needles and other sharps.

4. Consider the risks if you are thinking about tattooing, body piercing, or acupuncture – are the instruments properly sterilized?

5. If you’re having sex with more than one steady partner, use latex condoms correctly and every time to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including viral hepatitis and HIV.

***After Exposure to Hepatitis B:

1. Hepatitis B infection can be prevented by getting a vaccine and HBIG (hepatitis B immune globulin) soon after coming into contact with the virus.

2. Persons who have recently been exposed to HBV should get HBIG and vaccine as soon as possible and preferably within 24 hours, but not more than 2 weeks after the exposure.

3. If you have recently been exposed to hepatitis B, you should immediately contact your doctor.