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..

[ijuanabhappy, ASN, RN]

That is good news that the numbers are low and that your body is possibly clearing it. I see that you are very young. Is it a possibility you may have had this from childhood? For example, 1 in 10 Asian-Americans are hepatitis B carriers. It is very good that you are seeing a physician and know the status now. It is also encouraging that the numbers are low and that the doctor thinks your body could be clearing the virus. I think I also was exposed to Hep B at one point because I was antigen positive and then at a later date antigen negative. That is why I have done so much research! Anyway, good luck and stick with seeing your doctor. It sounds encouraging. Keep us posted!!

[okchug]

all posts have been very interesting and informative!

....my school requires EITHER record of vaccine OR positive titer, so my question is....does the OP have to have a titer if she has record of receiving the vaccine series?

[SanDiegoGirl]

Hi okchug,

My nursing orientation packet states that titers are required because titers provide proof of immunity vs. immunizations, which do not provide documented immunity. So I don't know if they will accept me when I am clearly not immune to one of the titers that will be tested. =/

[okchug]

OH- I thought I had found a loophole, sorry.

It is interesting that you mention titers being proof ... .. I had the MMR only two years ago and now I needed records of having 2 MMRs or 1 shot + titer. The titer showed mumps was too low. I was surprised and had to go for another booster-ouch!

I really hope everything works out for you!

Good Luck!

[JustMe]

20+ years ago when we started getting the Hep B vaccine, our hospital tested for antibodies before giving the vaccine (it was pretty expensive in those days). My friend tested positive and she freaked! She wanted to know when she had been exposed. I told her to think about it--she had lived in Panama as a kid when her dad was in the Army. She was probably exposed over a long period of time through their drinking water.

By the way--my vaccine is now 24 years old and I still test positive for the antibodies. I received the killed virus vaccine. I understand this vaccine lasts longer than the synthetic one. Anyone else have this experience?