Published
I understand many of the reasons why someone might not want to take the vaccine, however, I have seen a couple of colleagues who got Hep B from exposure to contaminated blood of patients. Hep B is more prevalent than AIDS among the population engaged in many of the risky social behaviors--many of whom are frequent patients of the healthcare system. You don't want to take the chance of becoming a statistic. It only takes a second to receive a needle stick no matter how many precautions you take. I was harpooned with a needle on a syringe filled with blood through no fault of my own by someone holding a syringe who wasn't paying attention as she walked right into me as I was minding my own business starting an IV on someone--never saw her coming. Years ago in a freak accident before the newer needle protection systems, I had a syringe fall from my hands, bounce on the top of the medicine cart, fly up and the needle make a through and through entry and exit into the fleshy part of one of my index fingers while I was attempting to re-cap it. Didn't plan that or see it coming either. Those are just two of the memorable sticks. There were plenty of "little" ones similar to getting pricked by a sewing needle that I wouldn't even sneeze at. None were ever deliberate, some were carelessness, but they all happened so quickly that they were over before there was a chance to protect myself. Hep B is a nasty disease. IF--IF you survive it, your life will never be the same. Take the vaccine. It's usually free to healthcare workers and students in the healthcare careers.
Here is a good link about HepB:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/hepb.pdf
Thankfully 95% of adults fully recover from HepB (50% having no symptoms at all) and then have life long immunity.
It is the 5% who become chronic and risk liver damage/cancer. Approx 25% of those who are chronic go on to have liver cancer.
I think it is always best to educate yourself about the disease first and also the vaccine and weigh the pros and cons and your risk factors.
Concerned nj
2 Posts
Will be starting PA program in Phili, Pa. soon and I am told I will run into many problems with doing clinicals without having the Hep B vaccine ? Has anyone run into this problem ?
Thanks