Immune globulin (IG) for hepatitis A

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
immune serum globulin	Baygam

This drug is given by injection into a muscle (intramuscular injection).

How It Works

Immune globulin (IG) contains antibodies that destroy the hepatitis A virus (HAV), preventing infection.

Why It Is Used

IG should be given to unvaccinated people at risk of infection with HAV, including:

• Household and sexual contacts of people diagnosed with hepatitis A.
• Travellers visiting foreign countries where hepatitis A is a known problem or where sanitary conditions are questionable. Revaccination with IG is needed every 3 to 5 months. If a person frequently travels to or plans to stay for longer than 3 months in a country where hepatitis A is a problem, it is recommended that he or she receive the hepatitis A vaccine. For more information, see the Prevention section of the topic Hepatitis A.
• All staff and residents of child care centres, hospitals, residences for the developmentally disabled, prisons, or food service settings where an outbreak of hepatitis A occurs.
• People who need protection against HAV infection but are allergic to the vaccine.
• Children younger than 1 year who need to be protected against HAV infection. In some provinces, children may get IG if they are 6 months of age or younger, depending on the immunization schedule.

How Well It Works

If given within 2 weeks of exposure to the virus, immune globulin (IG) is more than 85% effective in preventing hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection.¹

Immune globulin has been effective in controlling some outbreaks of HAV.

Side Effects

Common side effects include:

• Soreness and swelling around the injection site.
• Low-grade fever.

Rarely, a life-threatening allergic reaction may occur. This is more likely if IG is accidentally injected into an artery or vein.

What To Think About

Immune globulin (IG) is a safe, inexpensive, and effective means of preventing the spread of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection.

The sooner you get a shot of IG after being exposed to HAV, the greater the likelihood that infection will be prevented.

IG is safe for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

IG protection is only temporary, lasting about 3 months. If you are planning to stay longer than 3 months in an area where hepatitis A is a problem, you should receive a higher initial dose of IG, or you should get the hepatitis A vaccine (unless you are allergic to the vaccine). You should receive the same higher dose of IG every 3 to 5 months while you are still at risk.

IG is prepared from blood products obtained from paid donors. In Canada, no cases of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) through IG have been reported.

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Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH Carrie Henley	Last Updated: January 19, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine W. Thomas London, MD - Hepatology Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
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