Hepatitis B vaccine after possible exposure

Exposure may involve infected blood or body fluids entering a cut, the eyes, the mouth, or the bloodstream through a needle. Sexual contact can also transmit hepatitis B. A clinician will ask when and how the contact happened, whether the source is known, and whether you have completed vaccination or had previous infection. Those details guide testing and prevention.

The vaccine helps prevent a new infection; it does not remove virus already established in the body. Some people have no early symptoms. Fatigue, dark urine, nausea, abdominal discomfort, or yellowing of the skin can occur and should be assessed rather than used to judge risk at home.

Wash exposed skin with soap and water and flush eyes or mouth with clean water if they were involved. Do not scrub a wound aggressively or use harsh chemicals. Contact an urgent clinic, emergency service, or occupational-health team and explain the exposure clearly. Bring vaccine records if available. The clinician may recommend vaccination, blood tests, and additional preventive treatment depending on the source and your immune history. Avoid donating blood until you receive medical advice.

Seek same-day advice for a needlestick, blood splash, unprotected sexual exposure, or a bite involving blood. Go to emergency care for severe allergic symptoms after vaccination, confusion, repeated vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or yellowing of the skin. A normal appearance soon after exposure does not rule out infection, so timing matters even when you feel well.

Ask whether you need a vaccine series, additional preventive medicine, testing now and later, a liver function test, and advice about sex or household contact while results are being clarified.