Hepatitis B and things to know

Hepatitis B is a dangerous disease, ranked ninth in cause of death, but can effectively prevent it by vaccination.

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The report of the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that an estimated 2 billion people worldwide are diagnosed with or are infected with this virus, of which 350 million are chronic. Every year more than one million people die from liver damage caused by this virus (chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer).

Also according to WHO, three-quarters of the world's population live in highly circulating areas of hepatitis B, including Vietnam. The prevalence of hepatitis B in our country is very high, an estimated 8.6 million people are infected, the chronic rate is about 8.8% in women and 12.3% in men.

Vietnam is the endemic area of ​​hepatitis B, so the likelihood of infection is very high. Therefore, in order to protect itself against the risk of virus infection, people need to have antibodies against HBV virus with a protective level in the blood. Many studies show that the effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccine reaches 95% in preventing infection and its chronic consequences.

Artwork: Health.

In 2005, after three years of pilot implementation, Vietnam officially introduced the hepatitis B vaccine to become the seventh vaccine in the expanded immunization program (along with six traditional vaccines, tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus. , polio, measles). Children born after this time, if fully involved in the injections of the expanded immunization program, most have full immunity to hepatitis B.

It is recommended that adults or older children who have not been vaccinated from the expanded immunization program and who do not have antibodies to hepatitis B should get vaccinated early. Especially in the high-risk population of hepatitis B infection, such as people who often come into contact with blood and biological products (doctors, nurses), living with people with hepatitis B, people with multiple partners, and male partners. homosexuals, injecting drug users, HIV-infected people .

In recent years, fee-for-service vaccination services have also contributed to more options for many families besides the expanded immunization program. In general, both vaccines are evaluated equally in terms of their ability to form immunity, level of protection and safety.

Tests to do before getting vaccinated against hepatitis B vaccine:

Normally, before the hepatitis B vaccine is given, the doctor will order a hepatitis B screening test. Specifically:

1. HBsAg to find surface antigen of virus (HBV - surface Antigen).
2. AntiHBs (or HBsAb) to find antibody surface antigen (HBV surface Antibody).
3. AntiHBc to find antibodies to the core antigen of the virus (HBV core antibody).

Result:

1. If HBsAg positive is infected with a virus (acute or chronic), there is no indication for vaccination.
2. If HBsAg is negative, positive antiHBs, AntiHBc are negative: This person is immune to previous vaccinations.
3. If HBsAg is negative, positive antiHBs, AntiHBc positive: This person has been immune to previous HBV infection and recovered.
4. If HBsAg is negative, antiHBs are negative: This person is not immune, is not infected, has indicated vaccination.