HEPATITIS B AND THE HEPATITIS B VACCINE

By:  Pamela Schwindt, RN, BSN

What is hepatitis B and should you be vaccinated against it? Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus that results in the liver becoming inflamed (swelling and tenderness). Common symptoms are fatigue, fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Some people may become jaundice where the skin and whites of the eye appear yellow. Hepatitis B is transmitted by blood and body fluids.

There is a vaccine that is 80% to 95% effective in preventing hepatitis B. Should you receive the vaccine? It is highly recommended and in some cases required for healthcare workers to receive the hepatitis B vaccine. Other workers in research who work with blood and body fluids are also likely candidates for the hepatitis B vaccine. Even children are now getting this vaccine as part of their childhood immunizations.

If you are a candidate for the hepatitis B vaccine, i.e. if you come in contact with blood or body fluids in your work environment, in most cases you are eligible to receive the hepatitis B vaccine from your employer. The vaccine is given in three doses. After your initial dose, you will receive a second dose one month later and then receive your third dose six months after your initial dose. Thus your complete cycle should be completed in a six month period of time. Approximately four to six weeks after completing your vaccine doses you should return to have your titer checked.

Have you ever received your hepatitis B vaccine? Have you finished your three dose series of the hepatitis B vaccine? If you don’t recall if you have completed the series please call the IU Occupational Health Services clinic at 274-5887 or stop by and we can advise you on your status and recommend the follow-up you should receive. Have you completed the hepatitis B vaccine, but never had a titer checked to see if the vaccine is protecting you? Our staff will be glad to assist you in drawing a blood sample to check the effectiveness of the vaccine. If you fall into the category that has never received the hepatitis B vaccine or has not finished the vaccine series and you come in contact with blood and body fluids, please come to IU Occupational Health Services so we can assist you in updating your immunizations. If you are eligible and your employer is paying for your vaccinations, please bring your departmental account number with you when you come for your vaccine. There is no need to schedule an appointment, just stop by at your convenience. If you are not eligible due to your job duties but you would still like to receive the vaccine for your own personal health, we would be happy to provide the vaccine to you as a private paying patient. If you have any questions please feel free to contact IU Occupational Health Services at 274-5887.