Hepatitis B Titers

Published

Help:

My daughter is starting Nursing School August 21, 2017. She was required to have Titers done for all Immunizations. All came back fine except Hep B-it came back Non Reactive.

She was immunized in 8-14-98, 9-11-98 & 2-15-99 for the Hep B. She recently had a booster on 08-08-2017, how long after that can she redo a titer? And will this stop her from starting Nursing School?

Thank You,

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't understand your question. A non reactive Hep B titer is negative. That is good.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

The only person who can answer your daughter's question is her school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Heb B Surface Non Reactive

Non Reactive: Inconsistent with immunity, less than 10 mIU/mL

Reactive: Consistent with immunity, greater than 9.9 mIU/mL

She has to have immunity

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Heb B Surface Non Reactive

Non Reactive: Inconsistent with immunity, less than 10 mIU/mL

Reactive: Consistent with immunity, greater than 9.9 mIU/mL

She has to have immunity

Probably needs a booster.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

To clarify my original response: For Hep B, 3 markers are commonly tested:

HBsAg (HB surface antigen is the most commonly tested. If HBsAg is positive, it means the person is infectious. So, in this case, negative is good.

Anti-HBc (core antibody) positive means the person has had Hep B in the past. It does not develop from vaccination. It does not indicate acute infection.

Anti-HBs (surface antibody) positive means immunity from either vaccination or natural immune response. It must be > or = 10mIU/mL for immunity.

For healthcare workers with post-vaccination anti-HBs test is negative (less than 10 mIU/mL) 1–2 months after the third dose of vaccine, they should:

Repeat the 3-dose series and test for anti-HBs 1–2 months after the last dose of the vaccine. If the test is still negative after a second vaccine series, the healthcare worker should be tested for HBsAg and total anti-HBc to determine their HBV infection status. Those who test negative for HBsAg and total anti-HBc should be considered vaccine non-responders and susceptible to HBV infection. They should be counseled about precautions to prevent HBV infection and the need to obtain hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) prophylaxis for any known or likely exposure to HBsAg-positive blood or blood or body fluids. They CAN STILL work as healthcare worker.

References

http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2109.pdf

Pinkbook | Hepatitis B | Epidemiology of Vaccine Preventable Diseases | CDC

HBV FAQs for Health Professionals | Division of Viral Hepatitis | CDC

Hepatitis B Foundation: Hepatitis B Blood Tests

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center

Ask the Experts about Hepatitis B Vaccines - CDC experts answer Q&As

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion