Microbiology for General Medicine

Question 1

What is HBsAg and what does it indicate?

Answer 1

Hepatitis B surface antigen.

Marker of ongoing or previous Hepatitis B infection.

Question 2

What is anti-HBc and what does it indicate?

Answer 2

Anti-hepatitis B core IgG.

Marker of ongoing or previous Hepatitis B infection

Question 3

What is anti-HBs and what does it indicate

Answer 3

Hepatitis B surface antibody.

Marker of recovery from hepatitis B infection or of successful immunisation.

Question 4

Which blood borne viruses are you at risk of contracting from a needle stick injury?

Answer 4

HIV
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Tetanus

Question 5

What is the standard procedure following a needle stick injury?

Answer 5

• Wash with soap and water
• Encourage bleeding if skin in broken
• Report incident to occupational health

Immunisation, test patient for BBVs, prophylaxis against Hep B and HIV.