Hepatitis B Vaccines

Hepatitis B is a virus that affects liver and may cause severe reactions like liver cancer, liver failure and death. It spreads through blood. If the infected person is delivering a baby or using the same needle for injecting health person will cause the virus entering other person’s body. It will not spread in air. Sneezing, coughing etc will not spread the disease. It will be confirmed through blood test. It affects adults mostly. Most of the people infected will show the symptoms in the initial stage itself.

The usual symptoms are yellow skin, yellow in the whites of the eye, dark urine, loss of appetite, joint pain etc. There is no medical treatment for the disease. It can be prevented through vaccination. All children after birth should be vaccinated with Hepatitis B vaccine. Any children who have not received the vaccine should get vaccinated within 18 years. Any adults who have the risk of being infected or those who are traveling to infected areas must be vaccinated. Health care workers who handle infected people should get vaccinated.

The vaccine is given as a intra muscular shot. Normally 3 doses are required. The vaccine can be inter changeable. You can use different manufacturer’s vaccine for the 3 doses. The vaccine is safe and effective. If the second dose is delayed, get it as soon as possible. Hepatitis B vaccine can be given as combination vaccine with DTP or any other vaccine. Once given it will be effective for at least 23 years. If necessary extra dose can be given.

Hepatitis B vaccine scan be given to pregnant woman and woman who give breast feeding. It is safe and will not produce any adverse reaction to the baby. The vaccine is produced from yeast cells. So people who are allergic to yeasts should not receive this vaccine.

The vaccine should be given by trained medical workers only. It can be given in arm or thigh muscle. The shot contains anti bodies that will provide immunity against Hepatitis B producing virus. It will not produce any severe side effects. Mild fever, soreness, rash are common. If you have difficulty in breathing or any serious side effects after vaccination immediately consult your doctor. The vaccine is proved to be safe even for high risk groups.

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