Virology: hepatitis B prevention: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Virology: hepatitis B prevention

Sample item

A woman who is HBsAg and HBeAg positive delivers a healthy full-term baby. What is the best management of the newborn?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Hepatitis B vaccine plus hepatitis B immunoglobulin at birth, at different sites

Perinatal transmission is high when the mother is HBeAg positive, and most infected infants become chronic carriers. Passive immunisation with hepatitis B immunoglobulin gives immediate protection, while active vaccination starting at birth gives lasting immunity. The vaccine is given at a site separate from the immunoglobulin, and the series is completed on schedule.

Option by option

  • A. Hepatitis B immunoglobulin alone without vaccine

    Immunoglobulin alone gives only temporary protection and the infant needs the vaccine.

  • B. Oral lamivudine for the baby and no vaccine

    An antiviral for the infant is not a substitute for immunisation.

  • C. Hepatitis B vaccine plus hepatitis B immunoglobulin at birth, at different sites (correct)

    Correct. Combined passive and active immunisation at birth prevents most perinatal infections.

  • D. Hepatitis B vaccine alone at 6 weeks

    Delaying vaccine until 6 weeks leaves the baby unprotected during the highest-risk period.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is C, Hepatitis B vaccine plus hepatitis B immunoglobulin at birth, at different sites. Perinatal transmission is high when the mother is HBeAg positive, and most infected infants become chronic carriers.

Why is "Hepatitis B immunoglobulin alone without vaccine" not the answer?

Immunoglobulin alone gives only temporary protection and the infant needs the vaccine.

Why is "Oral lamivudine for the baby and no vaccine" not the answer?

An antiviral for the infant is not a substitute for immunisation.

Why is "Hepatitis B vaccine alone at 6 weeks" not the answer?

Delaying vaccine until 6 weeks leaves the baby unprotected during the highest-risk period.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: hepatitis B prevention in Microbiology. Passive immunisation with hepatitis B immunoglobulin gives immediate protection, while active vaccination starting at birth gives lasting immunity. The vaccine is given at a site separate from the immunoglobulin, and the series is completed on schedule.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Virology: hepatitis B prevention?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.