Hepititis B

eirthjona · Feb 24, 2004

here is a link for you.

Are you sertain that you have had it since you where 17? Bloodwork done would of picked it up. I would also ask for another test to be on the safe side.

http://www.mydr.com.au/default.asp?Article=426

gwenith, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2004

The answer is not straight forward and you certainly will not find your answers online. In this case you must talk to your doctor and find out from him your exact hepatitis status. The range of effects and outcomes is also not straight forward. I would go back to my primary medical officer and have a good long talk with him/her.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2004

You could be a asymptomatic carrier. You may have gotten the disease, had mild symptoms, recovered and that was that. Many people have flu like symptoms when they are actually having a case of hepatitis b. I was told when I was applying for a job at the VA 12 years ago that I had hepatitis b. I had never ever had any symptoms. My liver enzymes however are on the high side of normal. (Last time I checked them was about 10 years ago though, shame on me :chair:)

Just keep an eye on your liver bloodwork periodically as your md recommends and relax.

roadie · Feb 25, 2004

Thanks. I thought I was dead as soon as I found out I had it. I remember when I was 17 giving blood and the Red Cross sent me a letter telling me I had Hep B and I needed to see a doctor. (Found out a few years later it was a guy I dated who gave it to me and several other girls.) I freaked out and didnt do anything about it. Last year my brother was diagnosed and we were all checked out to make sure we were alright. I have it. I had a breast reduction in 94, a hysterectomy in 2000 and gastric bypass in 2002. I had all kinds of blood work done before surgery. Noone found it. I even told them I thought I had it, but noone said anything about it until I specifically asked to be tested for it. I asked what ya'll thought because I don't want to give it to someone by accident while being a nurse. (PS. My husband of 16 yrs doesn't have it. How is that possible?)

sjoe · Feb 25, 2004

In most cases, one simply has the disease, fights it off, and is thereafter immune. You are NOT, in this case, a risk for other people, any more than someone who took the Hep B shots is a risk. You can have a titer drawn to see whether you are immune, and if so, no big deal. It simply means you do NOT have to take your Hep B vaccination shots like most other nurses do.

It is MOST unlikely that you have had an ongoing case of Hep B for all these 20 years.

Now Hep C, on the other hand, is quite a different story.

At any rate, get the facts from your doctor, since you don't seem to have them now, because the "opinions" you asked for aren't relevant. What difference would it make if someone had the opinion that you either were or were not a danger to others? It is the facts that make the difference.

sherichance · Feb 25, 2004

I was just recently told that I have Hepatitis. I have been feeling ill since Decemeber and have lost 25 pounds. I felt kind of ok but I just was feeling sick to my stomach. My muscles were weak and every other symptom. My doctor told me you could have Hepatitis for a while and never show a symptom. I found this weird.

I am still feeling not so well. I still cannot eat.

I wish you luck and I understand what you are going through. Its hard to sometimes deal with Hepatitis. I hope you get through it alot easier than what I have been going through.

mrs.tlc · Feb 26, 2004

hi mr. 3rd shift guy!

i have been wondering if you were accepted in VA when they found out you had hep b. did they accept your application? do they check this disease in all hospitals you apply in the U.S. or Canada?

what about in the immigration for giving green card?

i have written here last time but not one single person had commented on my thread...maybe i will post again the same thread.

thanks a lot!