How Is This Possible? Help Greatly Appreciated

[john158]

hello everyone,

I recently had bloodwork done at labcorp and for the hgsab, hepatitis B antigen test, the result was positive.

However, I had hepatitis B when i was 2 years old and I completely recovered from it. According to multiple websites, e.g. cdc, a full recovery means lifetime immunization.

how is this possible and will I most likely be ok?

I am really afraid since I am only 18. I am praying that this is false-positive

[stevenNYer]

HepB antibody levels could decrease over the years, your immunity becomes borderline and the HepB virus gains an upper hand.  This could happen I suppose.  If it does, it's probably rare.  Pulling for your false positive here :)  

Good luck and take care.

[lalas0]

I think it means you had it your body fought it off and won, So now its like chickenpox you can get it again but highly unlikely. chickenpox comes back as shingles or herpes zoster. I think yours is like anti venom. Not sure tho you need to talk to you Dr. more about it.

[john158]

great.. first day of classes and I woke up to conjunctivitis (pink eye)

hooray.. two illnesses

[john158]

thank you for your reply steven,

however, at the age of two, subsequent tests for hgsab and the antibody confirmed that the antigen was wiped out completely and that the antibody was found in large amounts..

Even so, I am hopeful that the test is a false positive or that this maybe acute instead of chronic if that is even possible....

[stevenNYer]

If you were infected with HepB at 2 years old, you are at very high risk of developing chronic HepB.  When you were 2, there was not much doctors could do, so it's forgotten over time since most don't have symptoms.  Now out of the blue, you find out.  Unfortunately, this story is very very common.  Recheck your status to be sure.  Even if you do have HepB, don't panic.  It's not the end of the world.  Learn to take care of your liver and you will likely be fine.  Keep us inform of your status.