Hepatitis B virus: evaluation of infection risk and serological response to vaccine in hospital cleaners of the Botucatu School of Medicine

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major worldwide health problem. It is estimated that 300 million people are chronic carriers and 2 million deaths occur annually. The Hepatitis B virus is transmitted by both parental and sexual routes. Infection risk, which is 5% in the general population, can be 15%-20% in health care workers, since they are in frequent contact with blood. Today, Hepatitis B is considered one of the major occupational infections in hospitals. The most effective measure