Exposure to hepatitis B virus: guidance on post-exposure prophylaxis. PHLS Hepatitis Subcommittee

This paper summarises the views of the PHLS Hepatitis Subcommittee on prophylaxis after exposure to known and potential sources of hepatitis B virus (HBV) at work and in the community, and expands on the guidance on hepatitis B immunisation and the prevention of occupational exposure to blood given elsewhere. It defines significant exposure and gives guidance on incident recording, risk assessment, testing and storage of incident-related blood specimens and follow-up. It recommends that HBV prophylaxis should be determined by assessment of the likely infectivity of the source and of the HBV status of the person exposed.