Diagnosis and Assessment Prevention
ÎCounsel carriers regarding prevention of HBV transmission (Table 1). (III)
ÎGive hepatitis B vaccination to sexual and household contacts of carriers who are negative for HBV seromarkers. (III)
ÎGive hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine at delivery to newborns of HBV-infected mothers and complete the recommended vaccination series. (I)
ÎTest persons who remain at risk for HBV infection—such as infants of HBsAg-positive mothers, health care workers, dialysis patients, and
sexual partners of carriers—for response to vaccination. (III)
ÎPerform postvaccination testing at 9 to 15 months of age in infants of carrier mothers and 1-2 months after the last dose in other persons. (III)
ÎPerform follow-up testing of vaccine responders annually for chronic hemodialysis patients. (III)
ÎRecommend abstinence or only limited use of alcohol for hepatitis B carriers. (III)
ÎGive the full series of hepatitis B vaccine to persons who are positive only for anti-HBc and who are from a low endemic area with no risk factors for HBV. (II-2)
Table 1. Recommendations for Infected Persons Regarding Prevention of Transmission of HBV and Others
Persons who are HBsAg-positive should: Have sexual contacts vaccinated
Use barrier protection during sexual intercourse if partner is not vaccinated or naturally immune Not share toothbrushes or razors Cover open cuts and scratches Clean blood spills with detergent or bleach
Not donate blood, organs or sperms Children and adults who are HBsAg-positive: Can participate in all activities including contact sports
Should not be excluded from daycare or school participation and should not be isolated from other children Can share food, utensils, and kiss others
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