[peachbye]

I wasn't sure of the best forum to post this question, but hopefully I can get some input here!

I'm starting nursing school in May, and of course we have health requirements to complete, including the Hep B Vaccine. I didn't remember having this series because from the dates below I was very young, but according to my medical records I had it in 1988,1989, and then the third dose wasn't given until 1996. In 1996 I also had my MMR booster, so I'm assuming that this is when my parents/Dr realized that I never went back in for my 3rd dose so it was just given at that time.

I'm 24 now, so my current doctor, who of course I wasn't seeing when I was a kid, gave me a blood test to see if I was immune because of the spread out dates. The test came back fine and that I had immunity from hep B, but I was wondering if these tests ever came back inaccurate? Is it very likely that the blood test would be wrong and I could still get hep B? I guess I worry and I would have thought that the series wouldn't have been effective since it was given so spread out(according to the schedule I was looking at on the CDC website)? My Dr seems to think it is fine, but aren't there schedules for vaccines for a reason? I just want some reassurance that my blood test does really show what it is supposed to show.

Thanks in advance! Any input is appreciated.

[caliotter3]

If you are concerned then you can go ahead and be revaccinated if your doctor approves. Personally, if the titer shows immunity I would go along with that. But you know what you feel comfortable with. Please discuss your concerns with your doctor. We are not allowed to give medical advice on this site.

[peachbye]

Thank you for your response! Sorry my question was a bit too personal. I guess my main question was how often these blood tests are wrong. I didn't mean to include too much info.

I guess my bachelors degree in health promotion freaked me out because of what I already know, along with taking microbiology. I don't want to catch anything. However, I loved microbiology so much (probably one of my favorite classes I've taken from my previous degree) that I really want to learn more about infectious disease and I really think this is something that I'd want to work in after graduation next year too. Since I'd love to focus on this I have to make sure I'm immune to as much as possible!

Thanks again!

[faltura]

Peachbye, actually with regards to Hepatitis B vaccinations, the one you have to checked is the Anti-HBs (antibodies) if the result is more than 10mIU/mL then that means that you are still immuned but when the titers go <10mIU/mL that is the time that you need to be revaccinated. Still, whether you have the immunity or not be cautious with using needles. NEVER RECAP and protect yourself from sharps injuries and or body fluid and blood exposure. By being cautious, you will never acquire HEP B. Hope this would answer your question

[BSNDec06]

Generally the Hepatitis B Surface Antibody assays (the one used to determine immunity to Hepatitis B after an immunization) are very accurate. If you have questions about the test result, I would ask your physician to tell you more about it. However, there are quite stringent requirements that manufacturers have to abide by in order for the tests to be approved by the FDA. I guess what I'm saying is generally those test results are reliable and accepted by employer/schools as proof of immunity.