Hepatitis Immunoglobulin (HBIG)

Topic Overview

Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) is a solution of antibodies that are able to attach to the hepatitis B viruses and cause them to be destroyed.

An injection of HBIG may help prevent HBV infection if it is given within 14 days of exposure to the virus when you:

• Have not been immunized against HBV but have come in contact with the blood or body fluids (semen or vaginal fluids, including menstrual blood) of someone who has hepatitis B.
• Are being immunized against HBV but have not yet received all three shots in the vaccination series and are exposed to the virus. In most cases, HBIG will prevent infection until the vaccine takes effect.

A dose of HBIG also may be given to babies born to women who have hepatitis B.

HBIG is safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

HBIG is prepared from blood products obtained from human donors. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, has never been transmitted by HBIG.