HEPATITIS B PREVENTION

The best way to prevent any form of viral hepatitis is to avoid contact with blood and other body fluids of infected individuals. The use of condoms during sex is also advisable.

If a person is exposed to hepatitis B, a serum preparation containing a high level of antibody against HBV may prevent infection if given within three to seven days of exposure. Babies born of a mother with HBV should receive the vaccine within 24 hours. An effective and very safe vaccine is available that reliably prevents hepatitis B. Vaccination is suggested for most infants and for children aged 10 and younger whose parents are from a place where hepatitis B is common. Teenagers not vaccinated as children and all adults at risk of exposure also should be vaccinated against hepatitis B. Three doses are recommended.

Those at increased risk of getting hepatitis B, and who therefore should be vaccinated, include:

• household contacts of a person carrying HBV
• healthcare workers who often come in contact with patients' blood or other body fluids
• patients with kidney disease who periodically undergo hemodialysis
• homosexual men who are sexually active, and heterosexuals who have multiple sex partners
• persons coming from areas where HBV infection is a major problem
• prisoners and others living in crowded institutions
• drug abusers who use needles to inject drugs into their veins