;( Just got accepted into NP school but I am hep b positive

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I got a question guys. I'm really sad right now and so unsure with what to do. I just got accepted into nurse practitioner school. In their application, they want me to do a hepatitis b titer. I am hepatitis b positive. Of course, I just got a titer and it came back low for immunity. What will the school do? I know they will want me to do 3 more hep b shots and repeat titer if it comes back low. Anyhow, I have chronic hep b (from my mom as a baby) so i know it will come back low again. I'm not sure what to do. Will they kick me out of program if they find out I'm hep b positive after I repeat my titer? I'm so sad and scared. I need some clarification. I don't know what to do ;( please help!

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

The testing is not done so that you won't infect anyone else. It is done so that you won't be able to sue the school claiming that you got it while there. Relax.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to the Student NP forum.

https://allnurses.com/student-nurse-practitioner/

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The school requires that the hep b titer antibody must come back positive. Mine is always going to be negative because I have hep b. I don't know what the school will do with me if they find out I'm hep b positive.

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Anyone else? Can they kick me out of the program midway?

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I would talk to someone at the school.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Dear OP,

Your "surface" antibody titer (which is what the school is looking, anti-HB-s) CAN be positive even after being infectef if you enter "natural immunity" stable condition. It also can be negative if your infection is chronic but somewhat active. Other serologic tests will be needed to determine activity level:

Understanding Hepatitis B Serology | Hepatitis Central

Also, google "cdc hepatitis b interpretation" It will show a nice pdf table which you better save because you will be expected to recite and explain it by heart at any moment. In pretty much any NP specialty, it is daily bread and butter.

Again, your school WILL NOT can you out for being infected, it is pretty much 100%. They don't do it for things which are potentially much more transmissible, like positive Tb test. Ask your health care provider for doctor's note explaining your status and come speak with your clinical coordinator. Ask them to speak with CastleBranch if your school uses this d***ed organization, because otherwise you will spend long hours chatting with their staff, most of whom have no idea whatsoever of what they are paid their muneys for (from my experience, with all Tb tests being positive for life). That will be that.

P.S. I thought that interpretation of hep B serology was NCLEX material. We were drilled at it till death as undergrads, and at least in my current NP program it surfaces on exams under premice of "you guys must know it by heart already".

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Specializes in OR Nursing, Critical Care, Med-surg.

I don't believe they can deny your admission due to your hepatitis status; that's hard cold discrimination - which is unethical.

Know your rights: What College Students with Hep B Need to Know About Health Forms and Disclosure - Hepatitis B Foundation

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I would guess that it would be similar to acceptance based on HIV status- and I'm pretty sure that is illegal discrimination. You could always consult a nurse attorney hotline and find out for sure so you know what's legal.

I think what another poster said is correct, they do the titre to make sure you and others are safe so it is probably a non-issue.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

I had hep b and I couldn't walk or get out of bed for around 2 to 3 months. I never found out what I had until years later when they ran tests and asked if I had ever been sick for a long time...oh yes, I remember that...the weakness, losing weight, couldn't eat, joint pain, fever. Everyone thought I had the flu, but it lasted soooo long. Now I am a happy member of the" I have natural hep b immunity club!" :)

Did they do the ANTI-HBs or HBsAb (antibody to hep b surface antigen): if so, positive is good. It means you had hep b once back sometime and are immune. You need to know what blood test was run. You need to understand the language of the blood tests. There are many false-positives. In any case, run it again. There are several tests for the heb b virus...look it up; knowledge is power.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.
I had hep b and I couldn't walk or get out of bed for around 2 to 3 months. I never found out what I had until years later when they ran tests and asked if I had ever been sick for a long time...oh yes, I remember that...the weakness, losing weight, couldn't eat, joint pain, fever. Everyone thought I had the flu, but it lasted soooo long. Now I am a happy member of the" I have natural hep b immunity club!" :)

Did they do the ANTI-HBs or HBsAb (antibody to hep b surface antigen): if so, positive is good. It means you had hep b once back sometime and are immune. You need to know what blood test was run. You need to understand the language of the blood tests. There are many false-positives. In any case, run it again. There are several tests for the heb b virus...look it up; knowledge is power.

I apologize...you've had hep b since childhood. Whew, but has it stopped you from fulfilling your dreams? If the school tries anything look up and get an interview with the EEOC. Good luck

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