| Transmission of Hepatitis B is by sexual contact, blood to blood contact such as needle sharing by intravenous drug misusers or perinatally by mother to infant.
The disease can manifest itself from a mild form to a rarely fatal condition.
Immunisation is recommended in those who are at increased risk of exposure to Hepatitis B because of their lifestyle or occupation:-
- Health care workers
- Haemophiliacs
- Patients with chronic renal failure
- Staff and residents of residential accommodation for those with severe learning disabilities
- IV drug misusers
- Individuals who change sexual partners frequently
- Close family contacts of a case or carrier
- Some occupational risk groups
- Those travelling to areas of high prevalence
The basic immunisation schedule is three doses:-
- First immunisation
- One month later the second
- Five months later the third dose
For patients who request Hepatitis B immunisation who do not fulfil the criteria for protection on the NHS there will be a charge for the vaccine and its administration.
Patient Information Leaflets
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Stalbridge Surgery has prepared a list of useful websites for patients.
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