An old case of HBsAg Infection

[upasna]

Hello Doctor,

Five years back,my friend had donated blood in a Blood Donation Camp.A week later she received a letter stating that she has been tested Positive for HbsAg by ELISA Test. When she approached the doctors, she was not advised any medicines but was asked to repeat the test, after six months.

Later when the same test was repeated after six months, the test results were negative.

Q1. Can she get married ( have sexual relationship )? What are the chances of the Hepatitis virus being transmitted in the above scenario ?

Q2. If she has children, will the child get the virus ? What are the chances of the child getting the virus ?

Request your clarification and comments pl.

[MichaelT]

This forum is not monitored by doctors on staff of the folks that run this website. Most postings are from non-medical folks. I am not a doctor, nurse, or anything like that.
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It is normal for HbsAg to drop away to undetectable in longer term chronic carriers.  Anti-HBs hopefully is increasing. If Anti-HBs is increasing, then this is good news in that the carrier stage is over with or soon over with.

I would think some more tests are needed to pin down what is occurring.

God bless.  -Michael

[GI.PA]

Michael is right...this would be consistant with a previous Hep B infection.  The lack of a Hep B Surface Antigen currently would suggest no current infection.
GI.PA

[jimi2u]

I hope that it is inbounds to break in on a thread. My question is related to hbv so I thought I'd give it a shot. I tested pos for HCV antibodies in 1996, I just got some labs back from an insurance apllication and I was shocked to see some of the results, HBs-surface antbody-pos, hbs-a, surface antibody-neg, hep-b core antibody-pos, hcv-ab, antibody pos. Not sure what all of this means so I  wonder if I need to see a doc asap or not?

Thanks again  Jimi

[oldhippiechick67]

Nothing has to be done ASAP with this Hep C, it is a slow moving disease, but yes, you should see a doc to find out if you are currently infected. That requires another blood test. And the Hep B I think it means you were exposed but are over it.  What did they tell you back in 96 regarding treatment for the Hep C?  About 15%-20% of the population is able to fight the C off, the rest get the option of living with it or taking medication.  Like I said, you need to see a doc to find out for sure what is going on, a gen'l family type doc can do that. If you have active chronic hep C - welcome to the forum!  Its a great place to learn and cope! amoung some very nice, helpful, and experienced folks.

[GI.PA]

Your hep B stuff is consistant with a past exposure/infection.

Your Hep C stuff is suggestive of an exposure and most patients continue to have the virus long term.  

Your family doc can clarify this for you and send you to a GI if neccessary.

GI.PA

[upasna]

There is no history of Jaundice in my friend's case. None of her family members are long term chronic carriers.

Which tests should be carried out? could you kindly advise.