Urgent advice needed-pos hep b exposure

[orleans]

Hey, At the dentists' office today the tech felt like she could confide in me because of my hep c. A friend of hers recently was dx w/ hep b. The tech got cked out and they said something about her being 53% ????? when she should be 99%???? and they were talking about revacinating her. My concern is that I have never been vac. against hep b. How is B transmited? How hard is it to pass it? She was gloved and masked, should I be concerned? and how much? Who gives hep b vacs, primary? Any knowagable help will be greatly appreciated. jerry

[R Glass]

I am surprised your Dr. has not recommended you to be vaccinated for both A&B once you were diagnosed with C. It was the first thing mine did because of the strain on my liver if I was to contact A or B. I sympathize with you about the aggravation of losing a half a day but this is important.

[orleans]

thanks guy--i hate shots almost as much as i hate blowing the half day it takes to get one-what ya gonna do??jm

[mremeet]

If she was properly garbed in the manner that any modern dentist or dental hygienest should be outfitted, the risk should be very minimal. Don't know much about HBV, other than it's definitely transmitted sexually and via blood to blood (like HCV). I would just go get yourself vaccinated ASAP. I got my hep B vaccination a few months ago, and normally you have to get your first shot on day one, then your second a month later and then the third five months after that. But they have a condensed version now (FDA approved) that can be given shot one, shot two a week later and then shot 3 three weeks after that (total dose regimen complete in one month). You can also gte something called an immumoglobulin shot which provides pretty much instant coverage, but doesn't last as long as the normal vaccination. I got my vaccinations at the local health clinic, under a division called the "travel clinic". It seemed important to them to know I was traveling, otherwise they didn't want to take me (even though I was paying for it). Guess they don't want anyone going to some second world country and coming back with the nasties. So my advice is to tell them you're traveling somewhere ot help ensure you can get in quickly and "geterdone". Also make sure you get your hep A and tetanus vaccination while you're at it. Good luck