What is hepatitis B exposure?

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi Nhat - Infectious Disease Specialist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

The hepatitis B virus is long-lived and persistent, and can persist when blood has been dry for several days. Hepatitis B is a very silent disease with no obvious signs, so the cross-contamination in the community is very large.

Hepatitis B is highly contagious by direct contact with infected blood and fluids through mother-to-child transmission during childbirth or by injection with a contaminated needle or by intimate contact with another person. have HBV, have oral, vaginal and anal sex, use a razor or any personal item that has remnants of infected fluid. Symptoms may not appear for 3 months after exposure or longer but still contagious because the virus can live outside the body for up to 7 days.

Hepatitis B virus infection from patient to patient through blood-stained instruments that are not well disinfected such as medical instruments, ear piercings, acupuncture, even household items such as sharing razors beard, nail clippers, toothbrushes, objects that are easy to scratch or come into contact with open wounds...
Infected sharp objects that penetrate the skin (injection needles, probes, suture needles, knives) surgery...)
Blood and body fluids of the patient are splashed on the injured skin areas of medical staff during the procedure (burns, skin ulcers from before, mucous membranes of eyes, nose, throat .. .)
The skin of medical staff is scratched in contact with the blood and biological fluids of the patient

Give first aid when appropriate
Inform supervisory staff. Exposed employees should immediately report to the responsible person and seek advice on the need to use PPE to avoid HIV and HBV.

Immediately perform health assessments including risk assessment and continuing care (e.g. counseling and personal protective equipment) when appropriate. Fill out the exposure report sheet to record exposure and report exposure in the needle injury monitoring system

Prevent the transmission of Hepatitis B from one patient to another through the following measures:
Do not reuse needles or IV tubing Dispose of needles and sharp objects in the correct sharps container Immediately after injection Single dose ampoules should be used to reduce the risk of transmission of hepatitis B and blood-borne diseases from one patient to another. If multiple-dose ampules are used, a new needle and syringe should be used when dispensing medication for each patient. Do not reuse the syringe even after the needle has been changed. Follow sterilization guidelines when performing invasive procedures. It is important to ensure sterilization of tools and equipment shared by multiple patients. The most important rule in safe injection is “1 person - 1 new needle - 1 new syringe.”

Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG) HBIG is used to treat IMMEDIATELY after exposure to the blood or fluids of a person with hepatitis B (newborns of mothers with HBsAg +, healthcare workers exposed to blood-stained needles of people with hepatitis B, after having sex with someone who has hepatitis B).
HBIG injection 7 days after blood or mother-child exposure, and 14 days after sexual exposure will not be effective.

Immediately wash the wound with soap and water and report the injury
Blood test to check for the presence of viruses such as anti-HBs, anti-HBc, HBsAg, and ALT
If not vaccinated, no sure vaccinated, or not immune protection: give one dose of HBIG within the first 24 hours after exposure (200-400 IU), concurrently give the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at the same site. other injections. Thereafter, 3 doses of vaccine should be given within the following 6 months (vaccination schedule: months 0, 1 and 6)
If the exposed person has a history of non-response to hepatitis B vaccine, an additional injection is required. dose of HBIG in the following month.
If the HBsAg level is ≥ 10mIU/mL, the person has achieved protective immunity and does not need further HBIG or vaccine.
Test again for anti-HBs, HBsAg and ALT after 6 months to re-evaluate.

Currently Vinmec International General Hospital has Hepatobiliary Screening Packages performed by a team of highly qualified and experienced doctors in the field of hepatobiliary disease screening with the support of medical equipment. equipment, modern medical facilities will help to accurately identify liver related problems.
Hepatobiliary screening package helps customers:
Assess the liver's ability to work through liver enzyme tests; Evaluation of bile function; vascular nutrition; Early screening for liver cancer; Performing tests such as Total blood cell analysis, blood clotting ability, screening for hepatitis B, C; Assessment of hepatobiliary status through ultrasound images and diseases that have the potential to affect liver disease / make liver disease worse; In-depth analysis of parameters to evaluate hepatobiliary function through laboratory and subclinical; the risk of affecting the liver and early screening for hepatobiliary cancer. Master. Doctor. Nguyen Thi Nhat has more than 10 years of experience in the field of artificial kidney, and in the field of infectious diseases, examination and management of patients with kidney disease and infectious diseases. Currently working as a Doctor of Infectious Diseases, Department of General Internal Medicine, Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital