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Infection Control and Employee Health Hepatitis B Prevention Part 1 A Review of AC IP's Newest Guidelines

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

William M. Valenti*
Affiliation:
University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
*
University of Rochester Medical Center, Box MED, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642

Extract

Since the introduction of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIg) and more recently, the hepatitis B vaccine, programs for hepatitis B prevention have become a major part of most employee health/infection control programs. In fact, hepatitis B prevention activities have probably been responsible for increased collaboration between the two programs. Hepatitis B prevention is a very fluid process and is constantly changing as we develop a greater understanding of the creative uses of both HBIg and the vaccine. On e important trend that has emerged from the introduction and widespread use of HBIg and vaccine has been a greater emphasis on pre-exposure prevention of hepatitis B infection. In the past, programs for hepatitis B prevention consisted of periodic hepatitis B screening in dialysis units and some laboratories. Unfortunately, screening only monitors introduction of infection and does very little to prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Type
Special Sections
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1986

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References

1.Centers for Disease Control: Recommendations lor protection against viral hepatitis. MMWR 1985;34(22).Google Scholar
2.Centers lor Disease Control: Hepatitis B vaccine: Evidence confirming lack of AIDS transmission. MMWR 1984;33:G85fi87.Google Scholar