Aa
gave blood letter back
I gave blood befor but this year I got a letter back saying hepatitis B core antibody (reactive) I had 2 of the 3 shots to prevent this last year but missed the 3nd. what does all this mean? I had a blood test done this week at work will find out later in week . what to do now?
The thread was back in 2000, but here is the response HFHSM.D.-D.M.gave to the same question then:
"I appreciate your concern and questions but I think I can give you some good news. Hepatitis B tests are confusing even to experienced physicians. The test for an active hepatitis B infection is the hepatitis B surface antigen. If some one has a negative hepatitis B surface antigen, they are almost certainly not infected. A positive hepatitis B core antibody means that some one was exposed to the virus at some point in their lives.
You cannot get a positive hepatitis B core antibody from the vaccine because the vaccine does not include the core protein. However, over 95% of people exposed to hepatitis B as adults get rid of the virus by themselves. They are then permanently immune from being infected by the hepatitis B virus again. If somebody is hepatitis B core antibody positive and hepatitis B surface antigen negative, they are likely to be one of those individuals. In your case, it was possible that you were exposed to the hepatitis B virus before you received your vaccination. Many people who are exposed to hepatitis B do not develop jaundice.
Good luck to you and your son. I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have additional information or questions, I would invite you to post the material to MEDHELP. The direct number to our Liver Clinic at Henry Ford is (313) 916-8865. We have an active group of liver specialists with experience with hepatitis B .
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health."
"I appreciate your concern and questions but I think I can give you some good news. Hepatitis B tests are confusing even to experienced physicians. The test for an active hepatitis B infection is the hepatitis B surface antigen. If some one has a negative hepatitis B surface antigen, they are almost certainly not infected. A positive hepatitis B core antibody means that some one was exposed to the virus at some point in their lives.
You cannot get a positive hepatitis B core antibody from the vaccine because the vaccine does not include the core protein. However, over 95% of people exposed to hepatitis B as adults get rid of the virus by themselves. They are then permanently immune from being infected by the hepatitis B virus again. If somebody is hepatitis B core antibody positive and hepatitis B surface antigen negative, they are likely to be one of those individuals. In your case, it was possible that you were exposed to the hepatitis B virus before you received your vaccination. Many people who are exposed to hepatitis B do not develop jaundice.
Good luck to you and your son. I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have additional information or questions, I would invite you to post the material to MEDHELP. The direct number to our Liver Clinic at Henry Ford is (313) 916-8865. We have an active group of liver specialists with experience with hepatitis B .
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health."
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