Vaccination, hepatitis B definition - medical term
Hepatitis B (hep B) vaccine
gives prolonged protection, but 3 shots over a half year are usually
required.
All infants in the U.S. receive hep B vaccine. Two vaccines
(Engerix-B, and Recombivax-HB) are available in the US. The first
dose of hep B vaccine is frequently given while the newborn is in the
hospital or at the first doctor visit following birth. The second
dose is given about 30 days after the initial dose. A booster dose is
performed approximately six months later.
Babies born to mothers testing positive for hep B receive, in
addition, HBIG (hep B immune globulin) for prompt protection.
Older children (11-12 years) are advised to receive
a hep B booster.
Adults in high-risk situations are also advised to get a hep A
booster. Those in high-risk situations include healthcare workers,
dentists, intimate and household contacts of patients with chronic
hep B infection, male homosexuals, individuals with multiple sexual
partners, dialysis patients, IV drug users, and recipients of
repeated transfusions. Healthcare workers accidentally exposed to
materials infected with hep B (such as needle sticks), and
individuals with known sexual contact with hep B patients are
available in the U.S.
Both vaccines (Engerix-B, and Recombivax-HB) are highly effective
and provide protection even after only one dose. However, as
indicated, two doses are recommended for adults and 3 doses for
children (under 18 years of age) to provide prolonged protection.
medical
dictionary, online medical dictionary, medical
terminology dictionary, free online medical
dictionary, medical dictionary, online medical
dictionary, medical terminology dictionary, free
online medical dictionary, dictionary medical,
dictionary medical online, dictionary medical
terminology, dictionary free medical online,
dictionary free medical, dictionary medical
terms, dictionary drug medical medicine,
dictionary health illustrated medical nursing
profession stedmans, dictionary English medical,
dictionary medical online terminology,
dictionary encyclopedia medical online,
condition dictionary medical, dictionary
medical, dictionary drug medical, medical
dictionary software, cyclopedic dictionary index
medical tabers thumb, medical dictionary, online
medical dictionary, medical terminology
dictionary
