recently exposed and a little confused??

hi everyone, thankyou for taking the time to comment. I was recently exposed to a splash of blood to a cut on my finger at workon 09/15/09 and I suffer from dermatitis of the hands. I sought appropriate action and saw my physicianon 09/18/09 as instructed.  He took blood tests for hep b antigen and antibody tests as well as HIV, he assured me i should remain calm and wait for the results. He did tell me from previous blood tests that I have low immunity to hbsab of <3.00. I have no idea what that means. He also said i was probably vaccinated earlier and the levels just declined. He gave my a booster shoot of hep b after he drew blood and told me i should be fine, that immune memory remains. He asked me to return in 4 weeks to do a PCR test for hep b and hiv. Here's my concern, I have a toddler and family in the house, my little one has had all 3 vaccine shots at age 1. So the doc says he's fine. I'm not sure about my husband and dad?? I told them to get vaccinated and they said i was overreacting, but the doc said I should be careful not to possibly spread my infection, should I be using a diffrent bathroom as the rest of the house or doing laundry seperately. I dont want to jepordize them. Should my kid have a blood test...I'm a little lost and I have read conflicting info. I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT SHARE toothbrushes, razors or nailclippres or towels with anyone. Should I be concerned about when i have my cycle and bleach my bathroom? docs warning kinda scared me. Your insight will be a blessing. Oh. ps my spouse and I have been practicing safe sex just until all this is over.

[bram44]

First wait until your tests are conclusive.

Please visit the following for more information :

HepB Introduction & Welcome Page:
============================
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/HepB-Introduction--Welcome-Page/show/34?cid=153


Window questions :
===============
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/HepB---potential-exposure/show/999?cid=153

Treatment/Research
===============
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/HepB-Research-Info/show/939?cid=153

[sootanie]

Thank you for your response, but i'm afraid the time between my tests and results i might be infectious...i'm worried about my family. Should I be doing laundry seperately or using a diffrent bathroom and shower during my cycle. My physician has warned me to be careful and not expose my bodily fluids to my family unless i'm sure they have been vaccinated.. The links were very helpful thankyou :)

[sootanie]

Is it neccesary to have my child's hbsab tested to see if he's immune, he recieved all 3 hep b vaccine before the age of 1, but i've read that sometimes the vaccine doesn't "take". He's 4 now. I'm a little concerned about my possible exposure and want to protect him from now and the next 12 weeks before I know for sure if I was exposed. I know I sound a little crazy but he's my only liitle one and I don't want to give him anything.

[bram44]

It is true that vaccination is not going to produce antibodies in a minor percentage of  people.

If you are too concerned and want to stop your worries, it is a good idea to get your child tested for HBsAb. If it is non-reactive, he could be given a booster shot.

I came to know about my infection just few months back. I am a chronic, probably infected as a child. I have 2 children who had vaccination. One had antibodies and the other did not. Fortunately he is not infected, so we started second course of vaccination.

As long as you take some common sense precautions that should be fine to protect people close to you.

[sootanie]

thank you for your quick reply. I will speak to his physician about getting the blood test. and I'll post my results as soon as i get them. This place is a lifesaver. Is there any special precaution with laundry? I tried looking it up but all i could get was a reference to hep A not B or C and they advised to wash clothes seperately.
Blessings to all 4 good health.

[bram44]

Not necessary, unless there is visible blood.

It is normal for you to go through this anxiety - but start understanding this virus. This virus is not transmitted with causual contacts. With washing where temperature is more than normal room temperature for over 15 minutes and then drying, this virus will not survive.

As of now you are getting tested and you have taken precautions to protect your family. Now relax - and let the results come in.

[sootanie]

you are a blessing.....thank you sooo much, I know i just have to play the waiting game, but its SOOO HARD not to let your mind run away with you,  you here all these statistics and stories and feel overwhelmed and of course its worse when u got lil ones runnin around, tryin to protect them and waiting it out. again thank heaven for  this place and all you great people. will ask more questions when I think of them :)

[spackros]

Hi
I have had HBV for 35 + years and have not infected my wife or 3 children, my wife and 3 children have had their courses of Injections and all is well. I do know what your going through
but please as bram44 said wait and see and try to relax...
I took all the precautions necesary and there is no problems.....
Wishing you well
John

[sootanie]

Thankyou for that reassurance,boy did I need to hear it, I've been so paranoid of myself. I sent my husband to get vaccinated ASAP and insisted he take my little one to the doctor to be tested to see if his vaccination worked. By the way how much immunity is given after the first dose? My husband would like to know I read somwhere its like 30%?? thens more after the second.?(Sigh) I'm learning to relax.....REALLY....its a alow process

[sootanie]

So I've been doing ok so far, but I am a little concerned sharing a bathroom with my guys. I'm currently ummm....how to put this delicately....on my cycle and using the same tub/shower as the rest of the house and feelin a little concerned about blood exposure? Should I be doing anything to prevent this? Sorry if this sounds like a dumb question, I'm a little nervous tryin not to lose my sanity. I aleady bleach the towels but cant bleach the tub before someone jumps in....we have alot people in the house and I cant shut down the bathroom for 20 min to bleach during the morning rush hour or there would be mutiny :0) your input is really appreciated especially if you're in a similar situation. Blessings and good health to All

[sootanie]

I just got a call from my Doc earlier he said the hiv test is negative and the hep b surface antibodies was < 5.0, I already got the vaccine booster on 9/18/09, after my blood was drawn. So now i gotta wait 6 weeks to do it all again. He said I could do a pcr dna test for hiv and hep b virus at 4 weeks for alittle reassurance, he is going to consult a ID specialist and let me know 09/28/09. What do you guys think is this dna test worth or is it just for my benefit? Also do I have to do the whole hep b vaccine again or is the booster enough?

[suhasini91]

suhasini needa ur help

[suhasini91]

hi iam suhasini married recently my husband is hbsag positive after our honeymoon he tells me about this so worried   do u think i might immune to hbsag  and worried if i get preganent does  the virus come to my kid  i have not gone for anytest i cant even share to my dad mom  they will be in shock husbanb feel it normal to him he goes  to have sex with his xgirlfriend  he has sex more then 3-4 girls now iam not ale to decide to stay with or  divorce him iam confused in life plzzzzzzzz help meeeeeeeeeee iam just 24
should i got to a test

[sootanie]

I am very sorry to hear about your marital woes, yes you should be tested and so should your husband. If you have been vaccinated for hep B check to see if you are immune with a blood test,if not get the vaccine. I'm no  expert on the matter Bram might be better equiped to help you with testing advice...or go to your doctor. Hang in there hunn

[bram44]

If your husband is continuing his free-life-style, you should inform your parents,even if it is hurtful and seek their advise. There is nothing good that will comeout by keeping it a secret.

As I explained earlier, you should get tested and vaccinated if you are not infected. If both are infected, post your result in this forum. One of the members will comment.

I guess, we should make few tests mandatory before marriage (arranged or otherwise).

[sootanie]

Hi, I was wondering about my earlier posts about the DNA PCR tests for HIV and Hepatitis B, or should I wait the 6 weeks? My doctor seemed unsure about it himself and is consulting an infectious disease specialist. How releiable is a Hbsag and Hbsab test and HIV test at 6 weeks? I know I would have to retest in another 6 weeks after that. What about HCV? although the doctor said transmission of that virus by my exposure is rare. Is it also advisible at 6 weeks?

[z1234]

HCV?

[bberry]

i may be late on this one

i understand your worries.. you are a wife,  a mother and have people that depends on you for survival. its a good thing you've taken this seriou and  are making it your business to ensure their well being and safety.

having said that, i am not sure you had to do any of the above.. did you test for your hbsag ? i am assuming it came back negative for your hbsab came back postive.. nevermind it came down low but positive nonetheless correct ?
unless your hbsag ( surface antigen) came back postive as well then why did you have to do this to yourself and your family ? wow you must've had a rough couple of weeks i am feeling bad for you at ths point. i know you were working to make sure your family is safe but you know something.. you are are and were and have been safe all long. the fact that you do not have the suffienct level ot antibodies doesnt mean you have the virus.. how can you say you will infect people with this virus when you yourseld dont even have it.. one can offer something one doesnt posses.. if you dont have money youdont really give money to others.. you simply dont have it

listen, i assume you are negative to hbsag which is great. i now know you are postive to antibodies with a very low count which by the way isnt bad at all.. you got them anyway.. antibodies have a long term memory.. a memory that lasts for a life time and no matter what the virus wont effect you in anyway b your long term memory knows what it is and know the virus and will take care of it upon enterance in your streams.. DONT WORRYYYYYYYYYYY :-)

as for your kids, most and i say MOST kids will NOT show antibodies while they are younger.. the older they get the easier it will be to spot antibodies.. much like the case of bram44 without asking him who of his two kids is showing antibodies and who is not i am gonna make a guess and say the youngest one is the one not showing antibodies.. maybe i am wrong becase hepB is a weird acting virus and its antobodies and the human body's acceptance of it and its virus varies from one person to the next.. so point is that if your kids dont show antibodies and you know well they have been vaccinated then do not worry either.. make sure you test them every once in a while ot make sure they start showing antibodies.. at one point if they dont show it when they should then a booster shot is needed.

suhasini91, as far as i can see by reading your initial post, you are clear of this virus, you do not have it . moreover, you do not have a good amount of antibodies but that is irrelevant as far as you and hepb are concered.. listen , i am DYINGGGGGG to get any level of antibodies for hepB so if you dont mind, once you get your booster shot and get enough, canb i please borrow ( for life ) your <3 level.. i can build on it  hopefully.

check your hbsag please.. if it is negative you shouldnt worry.

good luck to you, kids and the family altogether

[sootanie]

thank you hunn for your input but I think you have me and suhasini confused. I was exposed at work to blood and did a baseline tests 3 days later which came back negative for HIV and HEP B  but I have to wait 6 weeks to retest again to see if everythin is cleared and then in another 6 weeks after that. My doctor actually reccommended testing up to 6 months to be very sure as per CDC reccommendations. I am just a little worried for my family in the mean time because I have a little one and an extended family living with me so I am concerned about transmission risks, especially during my cycle and one bathroom.The doctor reccommended DNA PCR tests for HIV AND HEP B AND HEP C at 4 weeks but i've read conflicting reports on them. Guess i just gotta wait for the antibody test. How reliable is 6 week test vs. a 12 week? Well in the mean time I'll be disinfecting and cleaning and praying. blessings to all

[bram44]

Since you already got your booster shot, you should relax. First of all you don't seem to be infected and the possibility of you infecting is low to nill.

Regarding testing, 12 weeks is the upper limit. So if it gives peace of mind, you could tested for antibodies after 12 weeks of getting the booster shot.

If you have antibodies (een in lower quantities) and your HBsAg is still negative, you could conclude your are fine.

[sootanie]

Very promising info, thanks. So no to the 6 week test? ahh fudge...was hoping for some early peace of mind. 12 weeks for HEP B, C AND HIV clearance... thats 3 months of me and my MIND. Is 6 month mark neccessary i know the cdc reccommend it but geez...i'll be certifiable by then. blessings to all.

[bberry]

sory for the confusion.. i probably typed suhasini but everything i wrote was meant for you.

anyway, i am gonna repeat myself one mre time and hopefully that gives you some ssf relief . i am gonna go out on a limb here and make an educated guess . i DONT think ou got hepB. well, i am almost postive you dont have hepB. i nkow you worries are valid. you got a family to protect and what you are doing is very nobile and responsible but like i said previously, you really need to not worry,relax , put on a attractive exotic sexy dress and treat your hubby to a nice dinner out .. or in for that matter,  and then hmm oh well u know.. your life hasnt changed my friend .. at least nothingt that has to do with hepB.

relax, dont be anxious waiting for results for they are not going to be worrying at all.

[sootanie]

God bless you hunn, I've been making myself absolutely batty trying to wait it out. My doctor is a great guy but is no help at all. He said "we'll test you in 6 weeks the in 12 weeks then 6 months then you'll bee clear in the mean time be careful with blood and body fluids practice safe sex and do not concieve (conceive). THATS IT??? oh yeah and vaccinate everyone as a precaution and have a good day". Yea that was reassuring all right. In the meantime everytime I ask him about tests and reccommendations he tells me he has to speak to a Infectious Disesase specialist. GOOD GRIEF. you wonder why I'm not certifiable by now.

[sootanie]

hi all, hope everyone is well and healthy. So its been 8 weeks since my exposure at work I recently went to the doctor and had a hep B profile done again as reccommended by my job. The doctor called to tell me that it is negative and I have immunity. I will get the exact numbers as soon as i can. I recieved the booster shot in September so I guess it worked because I now have immunity. Is a 8 week test conclusive in my case or should I aim forr a 12 or 24 week test instead. My job reccommends a 24 week final test for hep B hepC and HIV.

[bberry]

ya you should be good.. if you show immunity then doesnt really matter how long it takes  ; a week two or 8 is all the same as long as you;re showing immunity ( antibodies) then you;re good.. you wont lose your immunity

good luck

[sootanie]

thankyou very much...so no worries about hep B. still gotta wait the 12-24 weeks for a conclusive HIV and hep C results though.