Hepatitis B Prevention

Prevention agains HBV

Vaccine against hepatitis B virus is the best way of protection from getting infected. Hepatitis B vaccine, available since 1982, prevents both hepatitis B infection and those diseases related to the infection. Persons who receive the vaccine are protected against acute hepatitis B and the chronic consequences of HBV infection, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis B vaccines produce protective levels of antibodies against hepatitis B virus in most healthy adults, children, and infants. The vaccination schedule most often used for adults and children has been three intramuscular injections, the second and third administered 1 and 6 months after the first. It is very well tolerated by every person, including infants, children and pregnant or breastfeeding women, with the rare exception of severe allergies to any component of the vaccine.

Recent studies indicate that immunologic memory remains intact for at least 23 years and confers protection against clinical illness and chronic HBV infection, even though anti-HBs levels might become low or decline below detectable levels.

Another ways of prevention:

• The correct usage of latex condoms every time one have sex with an unstable partner;
• The administration of HBIG (hepatitis B immune globulin) to infants born to HBV-infected mothers and getting a vaccine within 12 hours after birth
• The disuse of injected drugs; never share drugs, needles, syringes;
• Do not share personal care items that might have blood on them (razors, toothbrushes).
• Avoid getting a tattoo or body piercing in untrustworthy places.

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