Things to note: Acute hepatitis- Bed-rest until acute phase is over.
- Avoid alcohol during the illness and for at least 6 months after clinical recovery.
- In cases of hepatitis B serologically screen sexual contacts. If they are seronegative (Anti-HBs negative) then they should receive hepatitis B active immunisation.
Medical Treatment: For nausea and vomiting:
- Metoclopramide, IV/oral, 10 mg 8 hourly as required.
Hepatitis B virus: prophylaxis following exposure e.g. needle stick injury
- Persons at risk can be protected by passive immunisation with hyperimmune serum globulin prepared from blood containing anti-HBs.
- It is essential that all categories of healthcare workers (HCW) who are at risk of exposure, including cleaning staff, be fully vaccinated against hepatitis B.
- All exposure incidents must be adequately documented for possible subsequent compensation.
- Recommended post-exposure prophylaxis for hepatitis B in HCW. HbsAg: hepatitis B surface antigen HbsAb: hepatitis B surface antibody HBIG: hepatitis B immune globulin.
- HBIG and the first dose of vaccine to be given simultaneously, but at different sites.
- If the delay in obtaining HBsAb results is more than 24 hours initiate treatment as for vaccinated AND HBsAb < 10 units/mL.