The Use of Human Immunoglobulin-Intramuscular

Intramuscular immunoglobulin may be used as prophylaxis for susceptible contacts if given early in the infection. The optimal timing depends on the disease. The NSW Health Department recommends intramuscular immunoglobulin for the following non-immune contacts of people with hepatitis A as soon as possible, but within two weeks of exposure:

• household or sexual contacts;

• staff and children in an associated day-care centre;

and

• food handlers in an associated catering establishment.

The department recommends intramuscular immunoglobulin for infants (children under one year of age) within six days of first exposure to measles.

Intramuscular immunoglobulin is also useful for:

• travellers to areas endemic for hepatitis A' for whom hepatitis A vaccine is not practicable;

• treatment of patients with abnormal antibody production"; and

• prophylaxis for certain contacts of cases of poliomyelitis, varicella-zoster etc'

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