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Serum Hepatitis - Hepatitis B
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
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Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the infection?
People can prevent this infection by:
Hepatitis B immunoglobulin, or HBIG, is a special medication composed of antibodies to the hepatitis B virus. It is used to treat babies born to mothers with hepatitis B. It is also given to people exposed to hepatitis B, for instance, by an accidental needle stick. It confers immediate immunity. HBIG can be given at the same time as the hepatitis B vaccine.
What are the long-term effects of the infection?
Chronic hepatitis can lead to:
What are the risks to others?
The hepatitis B virus has been found in blood, saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions of infected individuals. It can be spread by sexual contact with an infected person, passed on to a newborn from an infected mother during childbirth, or transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids.