Question

Nurse Sarah has not been immunized against Hep B due to religious reasons. She sustained accidental needle stick and exposure to Hep B and C. She consented to be treated with hepatitis B immunoglobulin and vaccine.

1. What type of immunity is provided by hepatitis B immunoglobulin? How long will it last?

2. What type of antibodies are In HBIG ? (ex. IgG, IgA, IgM?)

3. How exactly will the antibodies/immunoglobulins work?

4. What type of immunity is provided by hepatitis B Vaccine? How long will it last?

5. Why wasn’t she given vaccine for hep C? How many vaccines are there available? What do you really need to know about vaccines? Why do we need to give Tetanus booster every 10 years? What is a titer? Why do we not give to live vaccines to pregnant women or immunocompromised/immunodeficient patients? What is a Digibind? How does it work?

Answer 1

Hepatitis B immunoglobulin provides passive immunity and lasts for a few months. Hepatitis B vaccine provides active immunity and can provide lifelong protection. There is no vaccine available for hepatitis C.

Step-by-step explanation:

The type of immunity provided by hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) is called passive immunity. HBIG contains antibodies (specifically immunoglobulin G, or IgG) that can immediately provide protection against the hepatitis B virus. However, this immunity is temporary and only lasts for a few months.

Hepatitis B vaccine, on the other hand, provides active immunity. It stimulates the body to produce its own antibodies, particularly immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). This type of immunity is long-lasting and can provide lifelong protection against hepatitis B.

Hepatitis C is caused by a different virus and there is currently no vaccine available for it. Vaccines are designed to target specific viruses, so each virus requires its own vaccine to provide protection.