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Hepatitis is a contagious disease that is preventable. Basic preventive principles include avoiding contact with other people’s blood or bodily fluids and practicing good sanitation. In addition, vaccines are available to prevent some types of hepatitis. They are given to people at high risk of contracting the disease.
Avoid Contact With Blood and Bodily Fluids
Infected blood and bodily fluids can spread hepatitis. To avoid contact:
Practice Good Sanitation
Good sanitation can prevent the transmission of some forms of hepatitis.
Get a Vaccine, If Recommended
If you are in a high risk group, ask your doctor about getting a hepatitis vaccine. Vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B .
Talk to your doctor to find out if you should receive the vaccines.
Get Immune Globulin (IG) Injection, If Recommended
IG, available for hepatitis A and B, is an injection that contains antibodies, which help provide protection. This shot is usually given:
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ .
Hepatitis Foundation International website. Available at: http://www.hepfi.org/ .
Hepatitis Information Network website. Available at: http://www.hepnet.com/ .
Kohnle D. Hepatitis A vaccine. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81 . Updated January 2009. Accessed May 12, 2009.
McCoy K. Hepatitis B vaccine. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81 . Updated January 2009. Accessed May 12, 2009.
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse website. Available at: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ .
Stahl R. Hepatitis prevention for travelers. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81 . Updated February 2009. Accessed May 12, 2009.
*¹9/25/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Updated recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for use of hepatitis A vaccine in close contacts of newly arriving international adoptees. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2009;58:1006.
Last reviewed January 2010 by David L. Horn, MD, FACP
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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