Hepatitis B Vaccine

ANTI-HEPATITIS B VACCINE

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is an infection caused by a virus which attacks the liver. It is transmitted through blood, sperm and vaginal secretions of an infected person.

This virus is contracted: At the time of sexual intercourse with a person infected with hepatitis B virus; by trans-dermal contact with an infected person (puncture with a needle soiled by blood, sharing syringes and needles, razors, toothbrushes, ear piercing ...); through contact between the mucous membrane and the blood of an infected person (splash of blood in the eye, nose or the mouth...).

An infected pregnant woman can transmit the virus to her baby during childbirth. Transmission through blood transfusion is not very likely in the industrialized countries thanks to blood donor screening.

A latent period of 6 weeks to 6 months can ensue between the time of introduction of the virus in the organisme and the beginning of symptoms. In about half of affected people, the infection passes unperceived. The others present varied symptoms the most common of which are jaundice (yellowing of skin and the whites of the eyes) fever, nausea, faintness abdominal pain and sometimes of vomiting and diarrhoea (acute hepatitis B). The majority of people cure spontaneously.

However, approximately one person in ten remains infected by the virus over a variable period. People presenting a chronic infection are generally in good health, but are more at risk to develop a chronic disease of the liver (cirrhosis...). Death occurs in 1 % of cases of acute hepatitis B.

Symptomatic and asymptomatic infected people are contagious over several weeks. Once cured, they cannot transmit the disease any more. On the other hand, people presenting a chronic infection can transmit the disease.

Prevention

1. It is of primary importance exercise preventive behaviour such as regular handwashing, exercising discretion as far as sex is concerned by reducing the number of sexual partners and by using a condom, the avoidance of sharing of needles and syringes, toothbrushes and razors.

2. A complete vaccination confers protective antibody levels in more than 90 % of healthy subjects.

Side effects following vaccination and procedure to follow

1. In the majority of the cases, the vaccine does not cause any reaction.

2. The vaccine can cause redness, swelling and sensitivity at the site of injection over a 48 hour period following vaccination. The application of a cold wet compress will reduce such symptoms.

3. On rare occasions the vaccine will cause fever, headaches, muscle and joint pains which then disappear spontaneously. It is advised to rest, drink plenty of fluids and and treat the fever (if oral temperature of 38,5C or more, rectal 39,0C or more) with acetaminophen.

4. There has hitherto been no documented severe allergic reaction associated with anti-hepatitis A vaccine.

5. In the case of a significant reaction following vaccination, consult a doctor and warn us. Always mention at the time of any scheduled booster shot any reaction which has occurred during the preceding vaccinnation.