Download instructions for persons who are carriers of hepatitis b-virus

INSTRUCTIONS FOR
PERSONS WHO ARE
CARRIERS OF HEPATITIS
B-VIRUS
Hepatitis B -virus (HBV) causes infection of the liver. The virus is transmitted
mainly through blood and sexual contact. Although hepatitis B infection does
not usually cause any symptoms, the disease can be severe. After infection
5% of patients remain chronic carriers (HBsAg carrier) and therefore infectious.
If a person is also an HBeAg carrier, there is a particularly high risk of
transmitting the infection. Even a small amount of blood from a person with
active hepatitis B infection can transmit the infection to another person if blood
comes into contact with a fresh wound, skin abrasions or mucous membranes
like eye, mouth or genital region. The virus cannot be transmitted through
intact skin. The risk of contracting hepatitis B in ordinary everyday contacts is
small. Each hepatitis-B patient should be tested for hepatitis-C and HIV.
There is an effective vaccine against hepatitis B. In some cases it may be
necessary to give persons in close contact with the patient also antibodies
(hyperimmunoglobuliin injection). In these cases it is prefable to give the
injection within 24 hours of contact.
To prevent the spread of hepatitis B it is important that persons living in the
same household and also sexual partners of HbsAg carriers are vaccinated.
Babies born to HbsAg carriers should be vaccinated at birth. The above
mentioned groups and also intravenous drug users and prostitutes are given
the vaccine free of charge at health centres and at special centres for drug
addicts.
Instructions how to avoid spreading hepatitis B:
Do not donate blood, breast milk or semen. Do not carry an organ donation
card.
Notify your doctor, dentist or nurse that you are a hepatitis B carrier.
Hepatitis B is very easily transmitted in sexual intercourse. Always use a
condom unless your partner has received a full course of hepatitis B
vaccination (three injections).
Take care that your skin stays intact. Wash your hands after touching
secretions.
Don’t go to public saunas, showers or swimming pools if you have skin wounds
or abrasions.
Clean even small wounds and cover them with a plaster or a bandage. Destroy
with care bloodstained bandages (especially sanitary towels) and place them
separately in a plastic bag before putting them into a dustbin. If somebody
touches material soiled with your blood, he should use gloves.
HUS
Infektiosairauksien
klinikka
7.04.2003
HUS Helsingin ja Uudenmaan sairaanhoitopiiri • www.hus.fi • Yhteydet
You can wash your dishes normally.
Bloodstained laundry should first be rinsed with cold water in the prewash
programme of the washing machine, preferably with enzyme detergent. After
that it can be washed in the temperature recommended for the material. If it is
not possible to use a washing machine, the laundry can be soaked in a
disinfecting substance which contains chloride (for example Klorin®) following
the manufacturers’ instructions for use.
Stains of blood or secretions containing blood should be wiped from surfaces
with a disposable cloth using a disinfecting substance which contains chloride
(for example Super-Kloriitti®) following the manufacturers’ instructions for use.
Lastly wash your hands.
Do not borrow or lend personal hygienic possessions, such as comb,
toothbrush or shaver and keep your own possessions separately from those of
others.
In the case of contact of your own blood with skin cuts or skin abrasions or
mucosa
(eye, mouth, genital region) of another person, instruct him to wash the
area
thoroughly with lots of water and soap. Then you should both contact a
doctor.
Hepatitis B is easily transmitted using intravenous drugs. Sterilising needles
and syringes yourself does not guarantee that that there is no risk of getting
infection. If you know persons who are using intravenous drugs, tell them to
get the free vaccination against hepatitis B at the health centre.
Medication is used only if hepatitis B cause severe liver infection. There are
side effects from the treatment and for it to succeed the instructions for use
must be closely adhered to. To assess the need for medication various blood
tests are taken, the most important being ALAT and HbeAg. Also a liver biopsy
is carried out. Your doctor decides on the type of treatment most suitable for
you.
A condition for starting treatment is that there are no contraindications such as
drug-, alcohol- or medicine addiction or abuse. If treatment is started,
medication is free for the patients.