Prevention and Control - Hepatitis B Virus Infections

Prevention and Control

Hepatitis B infection can be prevented by the use of either vaccine or hyperimmunoglobulin or both.

◗ Hepatitis B immunoglobulin

Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) is used for passive immu-nization of patients after or just before the exposure. This immunoglobulin is derived from human plasma and contains high titer of HBsAb. It is prepared from plasma from patients who have recovered from hepatitis B infection. Passive immunization with HBIg is recommended for:

      people who have a history of recent exposure to patient(s) infected with HBV,

      a household contact with acutely infected patient,

      sexual contact with an acutely infected patient, and

      infants born to HBsAg-positive mother.

Screening of blood and blood products for HBsAg is important to prevent transfusion-related HBsAg.