Hepatitis B virus

[Mark Jude Hyman]

>1]  Is there a method to inactivate the hepatitis B virus in water 
>samples by refrigeration?  

As far as I know, that would preserve the virus, not inactivate it.

>3]  Are booster shots necessary for the hepatitis B vaccine?

Yes. You need a primary vaccination followed by at least two boosters.
Schedules vary from 6 months for the series (injections at 0, 3, and 6 months)
to a year (0, 1, 2, 12 months).

If you're worried that someone may have been infected by contaminated samples,
get them to a doctor and let them evaluate it. You may be able to get
immunoglobulins that could help, but I'm not certain. In any case, a doctor
would be your first step.

-Mark-

Mark J. Hyman
Division of Molecular Virology
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX