exposure to hepatitis B virus

Laboratory

• see hepatitis B serology
• HBcAb IgM & HBcAb total are indicators of hepatitis B exposure

Management

• source tests positive for HBsAg
  • if exposed person has documented adequate HBsAb levels (>= 10 mIU/mL), no further treatment is necessary.
  • if not, HBIG: single dose of 0.06 mL/kg intramuscularly (IM) plus hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of exposure
  • HBIG is indicated if the source patient is positive for HBsAg & the exposed person is a vaccine nonresponder, is unvaccinated, or is incompletely vaccinated

Notes

• exposure does not indicate active infection
• HBsAb but not HBcAb total may be positive with immunization

More general terms

• exposure to viral hepatitis

Additional terms

• hepatitis B virus (HBV)