Infectious diseases specialists diagnose and treat infections from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, focusing on fevers, antibiotics, and vaccines.
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The paradigm of Hepatitis B management is heavily anchored in prevention. Given the virus’s chronic and potentially oncogenic nature, preventing initial infection is far more effective than treating established disease. The “Prevention and Control” strategy at Liv Hospital aligns with global health initiatives, focusing on universal vaccination, interrupting transmission routes, and protecting vulnerable populations. The cornerstone of this strategy is the Hepatitis B vaccine, widely regarded as the first “anti-cancer vaccine” for its ability to prevent hepatocellular carcinoma by blocking the viral infection that causes it.
The Hepatitis B vaccine is a recombinant DNA vaccine that contains the non-infectious surface antigen (HBsAg) of the virus. It stimulates the immune system to produce anti-HBs antibodies, providing long-term protection.
Vaccine Efficacy: The vaccine induces protective antibody levels in over 95% of healthy infants, children, and young adults. Post-vaccination serologic testing is recommended for high-risk individuals to confirm immunity (anti-HBs > 10 mIU/mL).
For individuals who have been exposed to the virus (e.g., through a needlestick injury or sexual contact with an infected person) and are not immune, immediate intervention is necessary.
Combination Strategy: The standard of care for PEP involves administering HBIG and initiating the Hepatitis B vaccine series simultaneously (at different injection sites). This combination provides both immediate protection and long-term immunity.
Interrupting vertical transmission is the most critical step in controlling the global burden of Hepatitis B.
Neonatal Management: Infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers receive both the Hepatitis B vaccine and HBIG within 12 hours of birth. This “active-passive” immunoprophylaxis reduces the risk of transmission by over 90%.
Strict adherence to infection control protocols is mandatory to prevent nosocomial (hospital-acquired) transmission.
Harm Reduction: Programs that provide sterile needles and syringes to people who inject drugs are essential for reducing transmission in this high-risk demographic.
Family members and sexual partners of individuals with chronic Hepatitis B are at risk.
Combating Hepatitis B also involves addressing the stigma and misinformation associated with the disease. Education regarding the modes of transmission empowers patients to protect their loved ones without unnecessary social isolation. Liv Hospital emphasizes that individuals with Hepatitis B can participate fully in school, work, and community activities without posing a risk to others, provided standard hygiene is maintained.
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The Hepatitis B vaccine is highly effective. After completing the full three-dose series, more than 95% of healthy infants, children, and adolescents develop protective antibody levels. The protection is long-lasting, often lifelong, and booster doses are generally not recommended for healthy individuals with standard immune systems once they have responded to the initial series.
No, it is absolutely impossible to get Hepatitis B from the vaccine. The vaccine is “recombinant,” meaning it is made synthetically in a laboratory using only a small protein part of the virus (the surface antigen). It contains no live viral genetic material or whole virus, so it cannot cause infection.
If you have a known exposure to Hepatitis B (like a needlestick or unprotected sex with an infected person), you must seek medical attention immediately, ideally within 24 hours. You will likely receive Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIG) for immediate temporary protection and the first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine to start building your own long-term immunity.
Yes, you can have a healthy sexual relationship. The key is protection. Your partner should be tested and vaccinated. Once your partner has completed the vaccination series and confirmed immunity (positive anti-HBs), the risk of transmission is effectively eliminated, and barrier protection (condoms) specifically for Hepatitis B is no longer medically necessary, although they protect against other infections.
Newborns are vaccinated typically within 24 hours of birth because the risk of chronic infection is highest at this age. If an infant catches Hepatitis B, they have a 90% chance of developing a lifelong chronic illness, which can lead to severe liver disease later in life. Since the mother’s status might not always be known or documented in time, or exposure can occur through household contacts, the “birth dose” serves as a critical safety net.
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