Have you ever had close contact with someone who has the hepatitis B virus? Or have you heard of a baby born to a mother who has hepatitis B? Perhaps as a medical professional, you are at risk of being pricked by a patient's needle. In such cases, we are talking about a special vaccine that prevents the hepatitis B virus from entering the body and causing illness.
What exactly is the HBIG vaccine?
Simply put, this is called Hepatitis B Immune Globulin , or HBIG for short. This is a solution that contains pre-prepared antibodies that can fight the hepatitis B virus. Imagine, if an enemy suddenly attacked our country, this would be like bringing in a group of specially trained commandos from a friendly country, without waiting for our army to be ready. Once this vaccine is given to the body, the antibodies in it go and inactivate the hepatitis B virus, preventing it from damaging the liver.
Most importantly, this is not a cure for hepatitis B that has already developed. It also has no effect on other viral illnesses, such as the common cold or flu. Its sole purpose is to prevent the development of the disease after the hepatitis B virus has been transmitted.
This vaccine is made from human blood plasma taken from healthy people who are immune to hepatitis B. Therefore, it is very safe and is manufactured after testing.
Things you need to tell your doctor before getting this vaccine
Before you get the HBIG vaccine, your doctor will ask you a few questions. It is important for your safety to answer them correctly.
| Situation you need to report | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Bleeding disorders | If you have a disease (such as hemophilia) that causes you to bleed even from a small cut. |
| Decreased immunoglobulin A levels | If you have previously been diagnosed with low levels of an antibody called Immunoglobulin A. |
| Low platelets | If the number of platelets, which help blood clot, is low (as happens with dengue). |
| Various allergies | If you have previously had an allergic reaction to this type of immune globulin vaccine, another medicine, food, or preservative. |
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, be sure to tell your doctor about this. |
How do you get this medicine?
This is not a vaccine you can pick up at a pharmacy and take home. The HBIG vaccine is given by a trained doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic.
This is usually given as an injection into a muscle , but in some special cases (such as HepaGam B) it can also be given as an infusion into a vein .
Do you give this to small children?
Yes. Especially for babies born to mothers with hepatitis B, this HBIG vaccine is given immediately after birth. This is to prevent the virus from being transmitted from mother to baby. However, this is given to children on the advice of a pediatrician, with great caution.
What if the medication dose increases?
Since this is given in a hospital, you don't need to worry about an overdose. However, if you think you may have taken too much of a medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What other medications may interact with the HBIG vaccine?
There is one thing we need to pay special attention to in this regard: live virus vaccines .
There is an interaction between this HBIG vaccine and live virus vaccines such as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and chickenpox (Varicella/Chickenpox).
Think of HBIG as a group of trained soldiers. A live vaccine is a weakened enemy sent to train our body's army. Now that you have the skilled soldiers (HBIG antibodies) from outside your body, they will easily destroy the weak enemy (the virus in the live vaccine) that came for training. Then our own army will not get a chance to train. That means, the effect of the live vaccine will be lost.
Therefore, if you have received HBIG, you should avoid receiving live virus vaccines for about 3 months . If you are scheduled to receive another vaccine, be sure to tell your doctor that you have received HBIG.
Possible side effects
Like any medicine, the HBIG vaccine can cause minor side effects in some people. But most people don't. Let's take a look at what these side effects are.
| Side effect | What to do |
|---|---|
| Things to report to your doctor or hospital immediately | |
| Allergic reactions - Skin irritation, itching, and blisters - Swelling of the face, lips, tongue | These may be signs of a serious allergic reaction. Seek medical advice immediately. |
| Difficulty breathing | Go to the ETU of the nearest hospital immediately. |
| Chest pain or tightness | Seek medical advice immediately. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache | If it doesn't go down in a day or two, tell the doctor. |
| Nausea (feeling sick) | This condition will go away after a while. If it persists, tell your doctor. |
| Pain and stiffness at the injection site | This is normal and will get better in a few days. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience any unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor about them.
Take-Home Message
- HBIG (Hepatitis B Immune Globulin) is a protective vaccine given to prevent the development of the disease after exposure to the hepatitis B virus, but it is not a cure for the disease.
- This is given by a medical professional in a hospital or clinic. It is not a medicine you can take home.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have, allergies, and all medications you are taking.
- If you get HBIG, do not get live virus vaccines like MMR for 3 months. Talk to your doctor about your vaccination schedule and make any changes.
- If you experience serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing or facial swelling after vaccination, seek medical advice immediately.
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