[DJ Trance AZ]

I have read an article regarding Hep.B infection but I was left with 2 Qs after reading it:

1). For patients with chronic Hep.B infection and are capable of producing antibodies for HBV (i.e. anti-HBs, anti-HBc), then why does the virus is still capable of producing damages in the person? So what do the antibodies do?

2). Can a Hep.B carrier be healthy thru.out his/her life?

Thanks so much and have a great day!

.ERiC

[evans_c1]

vaccines (such as HBV) are long acting but take a longer time for the recipient to sythesize the antibodies. this is diff. from immunizations in that they are shorter acting. This is the reason that someone who feels they may have contracted HB is given immunoglobulin instead of the vaccine because of the onset and duration. Carriers can live a normal life, but im not sure how healthy. Liver failure is bound to set in sometime....In conjunction with lifestyle, such as alcohol abuse and so on.

[larrystaton]

Originally Posted by DJ Trance AZ

I have read an article regarding Hep.B infection but I was left with 2 Qs after reading it:

1). For patients with chronic Hep.B infection and are capable of producing antibodies for HBV (i.e. anti-HBs, anti-HBc), then why does the virus is still capable of producing damages in the person? So what do the antibodies do?

2). Can a Hep.B carrier be healthy thru.out his/her life?

Thanks so much and have a great day!

.ERiC

Hello, I work in public health and work with Hepatitis clients. (Hep A,B,C) Someone who has chronic Hepatitis B infection is someone with a positive Hepatitis B surface antigen for greater than a six month period from the onset of acute infection. Usually Hepatitis B chronic carriers will have the following profile. 1. Hepatitis B surface AG positive, 2. Hepatitis B core antibody Positive 3. sometimes there will the Hepatitis "E" antigen positive (as with clients that are considered to be "highly infectious". The anti-HBs will NEVER be positive in clients who are chronic carriers. HBS ab is an antibody that develops with only 2 circumstances. First, is with Hepatitis B vaccination. Someone who receives the Hep B vaccine should have a positive HBS AB as their only positive marker through Hepatitis B profile testing which should be done within 1-2 mos after completing the 3 shot series. The series should be given a (each injection) at 0,1,6 mos. Secondly, someone who has recovered from Hepatitis B infection, which by the way is about 90% of those that get infected as adults will have the following profile for the rest of their life: Positive Hepatitis B Surface Antibody and Positive Hepatitis B core AB. The Hepatitis B surface antibody will never develop in someone with the disease until the Hepatitis B surface Antigen is below the levels of detection (negative).

2. Yes, some people do remain healthy throughout their lives who have chronic Hepatitis B infection, but also many others go on to develop long-term liver problems. Interferon is being used with some success for treating clients with chronic Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infection.

[youknowho]

I need to ask this...Can and should a person show antibodies after the first 2 vaccines. I have only had 2 and my school wants a titer done to start clinicals. Should it show before the 3rd vaccine?

[DJ Trance AZ]

Hey LarryStaton, thanks a lot for your responses in both of my threads!

What a coincidence! I am also working with public health/hepatitis B&C team for the summer!! The project that I am still working on is the hepatitis A-G booklet.

Does anyone wanna take a look @ it and give me feedback?

THanks again!

.ERiC

[Sharon]

Youknowwho

Yes you can have antibodies already but if you don't you will have to pay for it again. Since we know second vaccine titers don't last very long, none of the schools where I have taught Nursing would accept a second vaccine titer level. Check with your school before going to the expense. You usually need pot prove the entire series and titer to start clinical.

[youknowho]

Originally Posted by Sharon

Youknowwho

Yes you can have antibodies already but if you don't you will have to pay for it again. Since we know second vaccine titers don't last very long, none of the schools where I have taught Nursing would accept a second vaccine titer level. Check with your school before going to the expense. You usually need pot prove the entire series and titer to start clinical.

Thanks. I dont know whats going to happen since I am schduled to start clinicals at the end of this month but am not due for my third shot until October. I can only hope I can sign a waiver or something to go to clinicals or otherwise I will be delayed a long time.

[Sad Hilly]

hello.. i am a nursing student in the philippines.. we just had our screening for HBsAg.. mine is reactive.. but i am healthy.. i dont know how i got it.. i feel so bad and hopeless sometimes.. i didnt expect this to happen.

[jahda_ph]

Hi Sad Silly,

Ei,cheer up! I'm from the phils as well,i'm already a nurse battling with this illness for many years now. I found out i was HbsAg positive during our screening in college. I got devastated as well, felt alone and depressed. But, i proved to myself that i'm better than this illness. Seek consultation in your case, you'll have a few tests done to determine if yours is an acute or chronic type. Mine is chronic, and i'm a healthy carrier. My doctor didn't give me any medications but i go in yearly to get my lab tests done. I still have to check for HBV DNA which is in Manila to be sure the excat number of virus in my system. Just pray a lot and hang in there. You faith is being tested,we're not the only ones in this battle. Just PM me if you need help. God Bless!

[vmmcld]

whats up, well you will be alright. I got my hbsag positive when i applied for a job as a nurse in the philippines back in 1996, i was fresh graduate then. I was devastated, I cried and depressed that I dont want to live anymore. What i can suggest right now is to go to a gastroenteroologist and have ur self check. The problem now is that in Philippines HEP b + people is discrminated to work especially in the hospital. Get a certificate from your doctor proving that your not infectious. continue your nursing. Once your done with your nursing apply to a rural hospital or a small hospital to get an experience, usually they dont do hepatitis screening. Then I know you want to go to USA, thats the fact right? There is nothing to worry about that because when you go to immigration procedure they dont test HEP b. so your safe with that. Good Luck! FYI I am here in USA working as a nurse.
You will be alright...It just test of faith to GOD...Pray God Bless

Originally Posted by Sad Hilly

hello.. i am a nursing student in the philippines.. we just had our screening for HBsAg.. mine is reactive.. but i am healthy.. i dont know how i got it.. i feel so bad and hopeless sometimes.. i didnt expect this to happen.