Hep B question

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

I had mentioned in another thread on here about the HepB vaccine and HepB the disease itself and someone asked if I had ever seen a HepB patient. My sister contracted HepB but she was not in a very good state of health to begin with because of her lifestyle and the reason she contracted it to begin with.

So what it HepB like for a overall *healthy* person (eg not a drug user, etc)? Even while recovering what is it like for them? Any info you know about or have seen first hand I would like to hear about if you don't mind. The CDC states that 90% of healthy adults recover completely from HepB and that almost makes it sound like no big deal, if I get sick, I'll live. But I'm starting to think I am deluding myself.

What have your experiences been? I am mostly interested in hearing about healthy people who have contracted HepB and are either recovering or carriers of the disease.

I am debating the HepB vaccine for myself (please NO debate about the vaccine, I am just wanting to learn about the disease itself). Thanks!

[SFCardiacRN]

You'll live only it won't seem like that for a while.

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

I am debating the HepB vaccine for myself (please NO debate about the vaccine, I am just wanting to learn about the disease itself). Thanks!

I thought that the vaccine was mandatory for nursing students and nurses alike. I don't remember it being an option - but I do remember having to get the series twice because my titer was too low when I had my physical for my first nursing job post-graduation. That wasn't an option either.

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

I thought that the vaccine was mandatory for nursing students and nurses alike. I don't remember it being an option - but I do remember having to get the series twice because my titer was too low when I had my physical for my first nursing job post-graduation. That wasn't an option either.

Well at my school at least we can sign a waiver (religious, philisophical, etc) most states do allow that. Anyways, it is an option for me.

[zacarias, ASN, RN]

Hep B is a very bad disease and has the ability to become a chronic problem and increases your risk for liver CA.