Student Handbook

emergency rooms and dialysis units, as well as technicians in blood banks and coagulation laboratories.

Though optometric student interns are not in this “highest risk” category, they are entering into a profession in which direct patient contact is necessary. This will be true as you rotate through the various clinics at the University Eye Center and various satellite facilities. Since there is always the possibility of infection, no matter how slight, and because this particular disease has received considerable public health attention, the College wishes to make you aware of the options available, should you wish to avail yourself to them. Most individuals who get Hepatitis B have either no symptoms or only a mild illness. Many, however, will be sick enough to be temporarily disabled and a few will have severe life threatening illness. In addition, some people who recover from the attack will become carriers of the virus (a condition in which they may infect others) and some will develop chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. In the trials of the Hepatitis B vaccine, it was given to several thousand individuals. The major side effects were mild soreness at the injection site and slight fever. Rash, nausea, joint pain and fatigue were rarely reported. Reactions were seen no more frequently than when a placebo (an injection that did not contain vaccine) was given. However, it is possible that unanticipated side effects may appear that were not seen when the vaccine was under study. These side effects may be unimportant or serious, but there is a very real danger that without vaccination, a substantial number of people will develop Hepatitis B and some have serious complications from that disease. For effective immunity, a total of three injections are needed (two primary injections and one booster). The first two injections are given one month apart and the booster is given six months after the first injection. More than 95 out of 100 people who receive all three injections will become immune to Hepatitis B. Experience indicates that the immunity lasts at least five years and may be lifelong, though it is too early to be sure. Those who do not respond to the vaccine will be susceptible to Hepatitis B. If you are allergic to yeast, you may not receive the vaccine. Also, if you have a low grade virus (i.e. aches, fatigues, etc.), it is better to wait until your symptoms pass before getting the vaccine. If you are pregnant or a nursing mother you may not wish to get the vaccine because Pregnancy Category C Animal Reproduction studies have not been conducted and it is not known whether the vaccine is excreted in human milk.

It is recommended that you consult with your physician for more information about this disease and the vaccine.

Alcohol and Drug Policy

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