Hepatitis B immune globulin

Hepatitis B Immune Globulin

Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (pronounced: heh-puh-TIE-tis bee im-YOON GLOB-yoo-lin) is a type of antibody used to prevent Hepatitis B infection. It is often administered to individuals who have been exposed to the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) but have not yet developed the disease.

Etymology

The term "Hepatitis B Immune Globulin" is derived from the following components:

• Hepatitis B: Named after the Hepatitis B virus that causes the disease. The term "hepatitis" is derived from the Greek words "hepar," meaning liver, and "-itis," meaning inflammation.
• Immune: Derived from the Latin word "immunis," meaning exempt or protected. In this context, it refers to the body's immune response to fight off the Hepatitis B virus.
• Globulin: Derived from the Latin word "globus," meaning ball or sphere. Globulins are a group of proteins in the blood that help the immune system function.

Usage

Hepatitis B Immune Globulin is used in several scenarios, including:

• After potential exposure to the Hepatitis B virus, such as through sexual contact, sharing needles, or occupational exposure in healthcare settings.
• For newborns born to mothers who are positive for the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
• For individuals who have received a liver transplant from a donor who was positive for the Hepatitis B virus.

Related Terms

• Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, often caused by a viral infection.
• Hepatitis B virus: The virus that causes Hepatitis B.
• Antibody: A protein produced by the body's immune system to fight off foreign substances, such as viruses or bacteria.
• Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg): A protein on the surface of the Hepatitis B virus; it is used as a marker to detect current infection.

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Hepatitis B immune globulin
• Wikipedia's article - Hepatitis B immune globulin

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.

---

Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski