Newly Admitted Nursing Student - Is there no hope??

[SanDiegoGirl]

Hi.

I just got accepted to my school's nursing program! I'm supposed to be celebrating but I can't. I recently found out that I am a hepatitis b carrier. It is absolutely heart-breaking finding this out right now because my nursing program requires that I get blood titers done for hepatitis. So is there no hope? Is it absolutely positive that I won't pass this blood titer screening and they will have to kick me out of the program? What can I do?? I'm at a loss..

[okchug]

Titers are not done in order to screen for disease but rather to test for antibodies against the disease.

We had to have either shot records or positive titers for MMR, Hep-B, Varicella. Positive titer means that you carry the antibody and are immune.

[okchug]

BTW- the titer will be positive for antibodies if you:

have been exposed

recovered from hep-b

or had the vaccine series

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I don't understand. What do you mean by you are a HBV carrier?

[coltsgrl]

my school allows you to sign a waiver/declination against hep b....meaning you don't have to get the titer or the immunization. you may just want to ask about that. I'm not sure what I would do, but best of luck to you. I suppose that is what universal precautions are for

[SanDiegoGirl]

So basically, since I've been exposed (obviously cause I have hep b) and have had the series of three shots, then my titer should be positive? And there is a little hope?

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

So basically, since I've been exposed (obviously cause I have hep b) and have had the series of three shots, then my titer should be positive? And there is a little hope?

If you've had the vaccinations, then you would test positive for Hep B antibodies. What makes you think you've been exposed to Hep B?

[okchug]

I have the same question---what or who said you "carried" it?

There would be a slim chance to contract it if you've had the vaccine series.

Very few people who have an acute infection will remain carriers of the virus. Most recover and don't continue to carry the infectious virus.

Be sure of the tests you've had and very sure about your status.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

yes, there is hope. information about hepatitis b can be found on the website of the national institute of diabetes and digestive and kidney diseases (http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/) which is part of the national institutes of health which our tax dollars support. i linked you into pages that explain what a positive titer level means. you need to follow up with the physician who wrote the order for this test or with your family doctor. in the meantime, read about hepatitis b.

• http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepb_ez/index.htm - what i need to know about hepatitis b
  
• http://www.hepb.org/patients/hepatitis_b_blood_tests.htm - hepatitis b blood tests: faq
  
• http://www.hepb.org/professionals/positive_hbv_tests.htm

[Mexarican]

"little hope?" i don't get it?!! why do you think you can't go to nursing school becuase you are a Hep B carrier????? If you are not actively sick then so what. you once had it or were exposed...the titers will show immunity, end of story.

Mex:smokin:

[SanDiegoGirl]

My doctor said I am a carrier and it is a chronic condition that has no cure. I am very healthy and have no other problems. I just feel like the program will drop me because I am positive for hepa b and have the risk to spread it to others in the clinical settings.

[SanDiegoGirl]

I know I've been exposed to it somehow cause I got the vaccinations, but found out I got hepa b cause I tried to donate blood and they denied it. That's how I found out. Then I took several blood tests and my doctor said my hepa b is a chronic condition, though when they took a look at my liver, the surgeon said it look like only a little inflammation and he would not even relate it to hepatitis. My doctor thinks that maybe my hepa b is just taking longer to clear out of my body. Anyway, I just want to make sure I can start the program!