Hepatitis Web Study

Postexposure Prophylaxis after Exposure to Hepatitis A Virus

Author: Miriam J. Alter, Ph.D
H. Nina Kim, MD, MS

Last updated: November 17, 2008

A 28-year-old male comes to see you, stating that his housemate was diagnosed with hepatitis A three days previously. His housemate first reported "not feeling well" about 10 days ago, and developed jaundice 3 days later, at which time he sought medical care. Further elicitation of the patient's exposure history revealed that he and his male housemate had been sex partners for the last 6 months. The patient reported no history of hepatitis, did not recall ever being vaccinated against hepatitis A or hepatitis B, and was currently feeling well.

Which of the following would you recommend for this patient who has been exposed to hepatitis A virus (HAV)?

A Administer hepatitis A vaccine.
B Administer immune globulin (IG) only.
C Administer lamivudine for 28 days.
D Do not administer immune globulin (IG) or hepatitis A vaccine because too much time has passed since the patient was last exposed.