🦠 Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for Hepatitis B & C
Unlike **PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) for HIV**, **PEP for Hepatitis B & C** is **more complex**.
The **risk of infection transmission** is **higher in Hepatitis B & C** than in **HIV**, especially after **percutaneous needle-stick injuries**.
📊 Risk of Infection After Needle Stick Injury
- 🦠 **Hepatitis B (HBV):**
- **Up to 60%** risk if the source patient is **HBsAg & HBeAg positive**.
- **Up to 30%** risk if the source patient is **HBsAg positive only**.
- 🦠 **Hepatitis C (HCV):** **1-7% risk**.
💉 PEP for Hepatitis B
**Hepatitis B PEP** depends on:
- ✅ **Completion of the 3-dose vaccination schedule**.
- ✅ **Evaluation of vaccine response** (**Anti-HBs >10 mIU/mL**).
**For unvaccinated/incompletely vaccinated individuals** or **non-responders** (**Anti-HBs <10 mIU/mL**):
- 💉 **HBIG (Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin)** should be **administered within 24 hours** (but can be given up to **7 days**).
- 💉 **HBV Vaccine** should be given along with HBIG.
- ✅ **Complete the full vaccination schedule** post-exposure.
