Hepatitis B Vaccination

Liver is an important and largest organ of the body. It performs many vital functions. It filters out drugs, toxins and stores vitamins, minerals and sugars. Hepatitis B is an infection of virus (HBV) that attacks liver, generally termed for inflammation of the liver. Approximately 8% of world’s population i.e., 200 Crore people carry HBV infection. Every year 100,000 die in India from HBV related chronic liver disease including liver cancer. One in every 30 is carrier of Hepatitis virus. This makes the virus moredangerous than Swine Flue or HIV.

HBV virus is found in the blood and body fluids of infected person. It could stay dormant for months together. It is such a sturdy virus that it can even live in dry blood stain for several days. One can easily contract this deadly virus from infected person by unprotected sex, blood transfusion, mother to child transmission during delivery, re-use or un-sterilized razor or scissor at home or saloons, body piercing, tattoo, toothbrushes, un-sterilized needles used by infected person are some common forms of transmission.  So it can catch you unaware at anytime.

Most people with HBV experience few or no symptoms. As estimated 30% of people with acute hepatitis B have no symptoms, and most people with chronic HBV also have few or no symptoms. If they do, acute hepatitis B may include fatigue (unusual prolonged tiredness), fever, malaise (flu like feeling), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite (anorexia), abdominal pain or bloating, indigestion, headache, itching (pruritus), and muscle or joint pain.

When a person is infected with Hepatitis B, the doctor recommends blood test for signs of liver disease. The doctor will look closely for viral load, the amount of HBV DNA circulating in your blood; and for an enzyme called ALT. Your liver cells release ALT when it is damaged by HBV. You are prescribed with drugs, like INTERFERON and/or ANTIVIRAL to reduce viral activity. Generally HBV is fatal.

Hepatitis B can be fatal. You can however prevent Hepatitis B by vaccination. The vaccine is administered in a series of 3 doses given over 6 months. 1st dose-on day 1; 2nd dose after 1 month and 3rd dose after 6 months followed by booster dose after 5 years from 1st dose. Remember, if you fail to take 2nd dose in time, you have to start from 1st dose again. So do not neglect your dosage. Protection from HBV will only be available after completing 3 doses. So come forward and get yourself vaccinated.

If the person is recently exposed to HBV, post exposure prophylaxis using the HBV vaccine plus injected antibodies (HBV immunoglobulin, or IBIG) can help to prevent the development of Hepatitis B or reduce the length and severity of illness. The procedure should be done within 72 hours after exposure.

Prathama cares for all its regular blood donors and their family and friends. So, next time when you visit Prathama or Prathama Blood Mobile Vans ask for Hepatitis B Vaccination. Our medical team is always ready to help you. We understand that you may not get enough time from your busy schedules. So the Blood Mobile Vans also carry Vaccination under special supervision of our doctors. So you can avail it at your door step.

It is Free for regular 5 times & above Blood Donors. The service is provided at a nominal cost of Rs.50/dose to family members and friends of all blood donors. So do not hesitate or delay your decision. It is always better to get vaccinated.

You can also organize Hepatitis B Vaccination camp at your office or housing society or among your friends. Be a Leader and take care of your dear ones.