Hepatitis B

[js880209]

I am a 25 year old female with Hepatitis B concerns. About 2 years ago I was fingered briefly with pre *** and my partners penis touched the outside of my vagina briefly with bodily fluid. I got tested at the time for everything including Hepatitis C and all was negative. However, I did not get tested for Hepatitis B because I was vaccinated as an infant/child and I'm assuming it was successful at the time. I have gone to the ER this past winter for what turned out to be gastroenteritis, but no one mentioned anything wrong with my liver, that is if they even tested it. Other than that, no symptoms. Any reason to have a Hepatitis B test or is my anxiety getting the best of me? How long does the vaccine last?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

It appears that my efforts to provide you with information are fueling your unwarranted anxieties. This will be my final answer.  

It is not recommended that hepatitis antibody titers be checked following vaccination.  

The blood under your fingernail does not pose a risk of any sort to your mother.

End of thread.   EWH

[js880209]

Would my doctor have checked my hepatitis titer as a child after my vaccination if it was required for school?

Also, I had visible dried blood under my fingernail and touched the top of a fork with that same finger that my mom then used to scoop food onto her plate. I'm worried that a tiny amount of dried blood may have gotten into her food. Should I be worried about this? It's causing me much anxiety.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Hepattiis B vaccination provides reliable protection from infection and those who are vaccinated do not need routine testing for hepatitis B, no matter what their sexual history might be.  You really need not worry.  EWH

[js880209]

I just have one more question. Around 7-8 years ago I was sexually active and I know I did not use condoms all the time. Even though I was vaccinated should I be concerned about acquiring Hep B from that time? Would I have had symptoms by now or have had it show up in some form through routine blood testing? I am here in the US and I know like me, most children were vaccinated 25 years ago especially because its required in a lot of school systems. I have a regular partner now and he was not sexually active before me and I'm afraid of putting him at risk, although being the same age I am sure he was vaccinated as well.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Sitgh.... you are having trouble letting this go, aren't you.  

If you think testing will ressolve your concerns, it is likely that your test for hepatitis B antibody would be positive due to vaccination.  If you had hepatitis B (which I would bet a lot of money you do not have, and I don't take bets that aren't effectively a sure thing) a positive hepatitis B antigen would be indicative that you were infected.  EWH

[js880209]

Since I was vaccinated if I decided to go get tested for Hepatitis B would my vaccination affect my results for a Hepatitis B Surface Antigen test or is that test specifically used to detect Hepatitis B and not previous immunity?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, you would be immune to it from your vaccine.

Not all hepatitis is symptomatic.

If your partenr was in the military, her was vaccinate.

My advice is to not worry and that htere is no need for testing. EWH

[js880209]

Would I have had symptoms at some point if I was exposed? Also, since it offers lifelong protection I should basically be immune to it correct? I don't want to get tested if I don't have to. I don't know the person well but they are my age here in the US and in the military. I would assume that they were vaccinated or even tested at some point.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum.  I'll be happy to comment.  The exposure you describe was low, or perhaps no, risk for hepatitis B. for starters, if you are here in the U.S. hepatitis B is a rare infection- there are fewer new cases of hepatitis B each year than there are new cases of HIV.  Second, it is statistically unlikely that your partner had infectious hepatitis B.  Third, transmission of infection through masturbation or contact with a partner's genital secretions is very low risk for transmission (which is more effectively transmitted through penetrative sex).  Finally, currently the belief is that the hepatitis B vaccine provides lifelong protection from infection.

Putting all of these considerations, I would not be the least bit worried about the exposure you describe.  

I hope my comment is helpful to you. EWH