Hepatitis Forums

Hepatitis C Prevention, Transmission and Testing => Am I Infected? => Topic started by: Chimachi on January 25, 2020, 03:16:34 pm

Title: Efficacy of Hepatitis B post exposure prophylaxis ( Am I Infected)
Post by: Chimachi on January 25, 2020, 03:16:34 pm

I am new to this great forum and really thanks the team behind this helpful initiative to save lives. I had a very high risk encounter and want to know if am infected and my options


On 20th Jan 2020, I had sex using condom with Hepatitis B positive lady in acute stage, newly infected. Unfortunately the condom pulled during sex and I continued for like 5 minutes without knowing.

Am not vaccinated. I did baseline tests and it's negative with no prior immunity.

The next day (14 hours later) I took a short of hepatitis B vaccine and a short of hepatitis B immuneglobulin (5.4ml)

How effective is this emergency intervention?


Am I still at risk or will the PEP take care of the situation.

A doctor recommended I repeat the vaccine in 2 weeks time from first shot since my exposure was very high risk. I am thinking of repeating the vaccine shot in a week after the first shot since I work offshore and wont be able to take a shot in two weeks. Will there be any side effect doing  this . Do I need to do anything  more.
thanks a lot for your helps

Title: Re: Efficacy of Hepatitis B post exposure prophylaxis ( Am I Infected)
Post by: Lynn K on January 25, 2020, 06:01:25 pm

There are no medical professionals here this is a community of patients coming together for moral support for those living with liver disease or hepatitis related conditions. As such we are unable to offer medical advice specific to the effectiveness to the treatment you have undergone beyond what a google search would provide.

You best resource for a medically informed answer to your question is your treating physician.

I did a quick google search and found this information from the US CDC

“After exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV), appropriate and timely prophylaxis can prevent HBV infection and subsequent development of chronic infection or liver disease. The mainstay of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) is hepatitis B vaccine, but, in certain circumstances, hepatitis B immune globulin is recommended in addition to vaccine for added protection.”

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/pep.htm

Also this from another source

“ Hepatitis B vaccine is highly effective in preventing acute infection after exposure if given within 7 days and preferably within 48 hours.”

https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/EMIToolkit/appendices/app8.pdf

Beyond what I as a layperson found with an internet search for more information speak with your doctor and follow your doctors guidance. 

Best of luck.

Title: Re: Efficacy of Hepatitis B post exposure prophylaxis ( Am I Infected)
Post by: Chimachi on January 25, 2020, 06:56:02 pm

Thanks a lot Lynn for your reply and painstaking Internet search