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Hepatitis B immune globulin provides immediate, short-term protection against hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B immune globulin has large amounts of hepatitis B antibodies taken from donated human blood. Antibodies are proteins that a person's immune system makes to fight germs, such as bacteria and viruses like hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B immune globulin is approved by Health Canada.
Yes, Canadian Blood Services screens and tests every blood donation. Since blood screening and testing began, there have been no reports of blood-borne infections like HIV or hepatitis B in people receiving hepatitis B immune globulin.
If you have been exposed to hepatitis B virus and have not received the hepatitis B vaccine in the past, you should get 1 dose or shot of hepatitis B immune globulin.
Hepatitis B immune globulin works best if given as soon as possible and within 14 days after exposure to the hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis B immune globulin is recommended for the following:
A dose of hepatitis B vaccine may be given at the same time as hepatitis B immune globulin. Two more doses of hepatitis B vaccine may be given later to provide full, long-term protection against infection. Speak with your health care provider about when to get these doses. For more information, see HealthLink BC File #25a Hepatitis B Vaccine.
Hepatitis B immune globulin provides immediate, short-term protection against hepatitis B infection. It can prevent illness or make the illness less severe.
Common reactions to hepatitis B immune globulin may include soreness and itchiness where the shot was given. Mild fever or general discomfort may also occur.
| Acetaminophen or Tylenol® can be given for fever or soreness. ASA or Aspirin® should NOT be given to anyone under 20 years of age due to the risk of Reye Syndrome. |
It is important to stay in the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any vaccine or shot because there is a rare possibility of a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This may include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat, tongue or lips. If this happens after you leave the clinic, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number. This reaction can be treated and occurs in less than one in a million people who get the shot.
It is important to always report serious or unexpected reactions to your health care provider.
Speak with your health care provider if you have:
Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver. It can cause serious disease including permanent liver damage, also known ascirrhosis. Hepatitis B is also the main cause of liver cancer, which can be fatal. Hepatitis B virus is spread from one infected person to another by contact with blood or body fluids. After the virus enters your body, it usually takes 2 to 3 months to develop symptoms or signs of illness. Many people who get hepatitis B show no symptoms and may not know they have the disease. Whether there are signs of illness or not, you can pass the virus on to others.
It is recommended that parents or guardians and their children discuss consent for immunization. Efforts are first made to seek parental/guardian or representative consent prior to immunization. However, children under the age of 19, who are able to understand the benefits and possible reactions for each vaccine and the risk of not getting immunized, can legally consent to or refuse immunizations.
For more information on immunizations visit Immunize BC at www.immunizebc.ca.
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For more HealthLink BC File topics, visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca/healthfiles/index.stm or your local public health unit. Click on www.HealthLinkBC.ca or call 8-1-1 for non-emergency health information and services in B.C. For deaf and hearing-impaired assistance, call 7-1-1 in B.C. Translation services are available in more than 130 languages on request. |
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