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Hepatitis B - Management
How do I prevent hepatitis B?
- For people at high risk of hepatitis B, offer immunization.
- Consider taking blood for serology testing at the same appointment used for administering the first dose of vaccine. If serology results later show immunity, do not give the remaining doses of vaccine.
- For further information on the hepatitis B vaccine, see Prescribing information.
- If rapid protection from hepatitis B is important:
- Consider using a rapid immunization schedule.
- Prophylaxis with hepatitis B immunoglobulin may be indicated. Discuss this with an appropriate expert (such as a microbiologist) first.
- Immunoglobulin may be indicated following accidental exposure to potentially infected blood or body fluids, where the person's vaccination status is unknown or where they have had a failed response to vaccination.
- Immunoglobulin may also be given to babies that have been delivered by women who are hepatitis B-positive.
- If the immunoglobulin is available in primary care, give it intramuscularly (ideally within 48 hours of exposure, and at the same time as the first dose of vaccine — in order to provide passive immunity).
- If the person has hepatitis B, advise them about measures to prevent transmission of infection.
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