liver and gallbladder disorders
Overview of Acute Viral Hepatitis
Vaccines and immune globulin
Vaccines to prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B are available in the United States. A vaccine for hepatitis E is currently available only in China. No vaccines against hepatitis C or D virus are available. However, vaccination against hepatitis B virus also reduces the risk of infection with hepatitis D virus. Hepatitis vaccines are given by injection into muscle. Routine vaccination with the Hepatitis A Vaccine and As with most vaccines, protection requires allowing a number of weeks for the vaccine to reach its full effect as the immune system gradually creates antibodies against the particular virus. If people who have not been vaccinated are exposed to hepatitis A virus, they are given a single dose of hepatitis A vaccine or an injection of standard immune globulin, depending on their age and health. Standard immune globulin contains antibodies obtained from blood collected from a large group of people who have a normal immune system. Immune globulin prevents infection or decreases its severity. However, the amount of protection it provides varies, and the protection is only temporary. If people who have not been vaccinated are exposed to hepatitis B virus, they are givenhepatitis B immune globulinand are vaccinated.Hepatitis B immune globulincontains antibodies obtained from the blood of people who have high levels of antibodies to hepatitis B. It is given by injection into a muscle or into a vein. This preparation helps the body fight the infection and prevents symptoms or decreases their severity, although it is unlikely to prevent infection. Babies born to mothers with hepatitis B are givenhepatitis B immune globulin(injected into a muscle) and hepatitis B vaccine. 