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Hep B immunity and window period - advice pls
Hi,
I had the hep b vaccine 13 yrs ago. Can't remember if it was the full course or time frames injections were given.
On my blood test it showed I have Hep B surface antibodies of 15 mIU/ mL at 1 wk test, 11 mIU/mL at 5 wk test. The test says a level if over 10 is considered protective if full course was given.
The doctor said 15 or 11 might not be enough to avoid infection. Is this right?
Surface antigen is negative at 1, 5, and 11 weeks after possible exposure.
Surface antibody is 15 at 1 wk post possible exposure, 11 at 5 weeks. It was 14 at 11 wks but this was after a booster shot at 10 wks.
Core antibody is negative at 11 wks (not listed on earlier test results)
According to Dr Hook on this forum and CDC 1-9 wks should be enough for surface antigen test. But then some people say you have to wait 6 mths.
If surf antigen hasn't shown up yet, can I still test positive at some point? Will it show up later than 9 wks 'range' or later than 11 wks when my test was?
I also had a booster shot at 10 wks- will this affect my results or window period on HbSag?
If you have MS or other auto immune problem can this extend the window period for HbSag?
Any clarification or help would be much appreciated.
I had the hep b vaccine 13 yrs ago. Can't remember if it was the full course or time frames injections were given.
On my blood test it showed I have Hep B surface antibodies of 15 mIU/ mL at 1 wk test, 11 mIU/mL at 5 wk test. The test says a level if over 10 is considered protective if full course was given.
The doctor said 15 or 11 might not be enough to avoid infection. Is this right?
Surface antigen is negative at 1, 5, and 11 weeks after possible exposure.
Surface antibody is 15 at 1 wk post possible exposure, 11 at 5 weeks. It was 14 at 11 wks but this was after a booster shot at 10 wks.
Core antibody is negative at 11 wks (not listed on earlier test results)
According to Dr Hook on this forum and CDC 1-9 wks should be enough for surface antigen test. But then some people say you have to wait 6 mths.
If surf antigen hasn't shown up yet, can I still test positive at some point? Will it show up later than 9 wks 'range' or later than 11 wks when my test was?
I also had a booster shot at 10 wks- will this affect my results or window period on HbSag?
If you have MS or other auto immune problem can this extend the window period for HbSag?
Any clarification or help would be much appreciated.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Despite what you would assume from various online sources, there is no good evidence that the hepatitis C virus is sexually transmitted at all, with a single exception: the only proved sexual transmission scenario is among gay men who participate in traumatic (i.e. potentially bloody) rectal sexual practices. The rate of HCV infection in the heterosexual partners of infected persons is no higher than in people without such partners.
Accordingly, STD experts don't necessarily have much experience managing patients with or at risk for HCV. To my knowledge, the incubation period -- the time to reliable testing -- is 6-10 weeks.
That will end this thread. Do your best to move on and to get beyond your apparently compulsive worries about sexually transmitted hepatitis. I won't have any further comments or advice.
Accordingly, STD experts don't necessarily have much experience managing patients with or at risk for HCV. To my knowledge, the incubation period -- the time to reliable testing -- is 6-10 weeks.
That will end this thread. Do your best to move on and to get beyond your apparently compulsive worries about sexually transmitted hepatitis. I won't have any further comments or advice.
Ok thanks for that. I also had nausea and loss of appetite, and some raised LFT, but this could be due to medication.
Out of interest what is the window period for hep c? Is that longer or the same as hep b?
Out of interest what is the window period for hep c? Is that longer or the same as hep b?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I can't explain your symptoms, but despite what you think you have learned (probably by online searching), your symptoms are not especially suggestive of hepatitis. In any case, lab tests always overrule symptoms.
HBV is less frequently sexually transmitted than you seem to think. In 30 years in a busy STD clinic, I don't think I ever saw anyone with a new HBV infection unless there was special risk, e.g. in gay men. Heterosexual transmission is uncommon.
HBV is less frequently sexually transmitted than you seem to think. In 30 years in a busy STD clinic, I don't think I ever saw anyone with a new HBV infection unless there was special risk, e.g. in gay men. Heterosexual transmission is uncommon.
I also thought that hep b was highly contagious and can live on a surface for a week, soi am surprised you say the risk is low as I thought it was quite contagious and resilient.
Thanks for your advice. It is just that I have had many symptoms - itching on bottom of foot, loose bowel movements, joint pain, pain in liver area / upper right quadrant etc... Hep a and c test were both negative.
If it isn't hep b as you say my results suggest, I am not sure what it is. Itseems to fit with some liver problem, possibly auto immune hepatitis?
Thanks again for your clarification on the testing window.
If it isn't hep b as you say my results suggest, I am not sure what it is. Itseems to fit with some liver problem, possibly auto immune hepatitis?
Thanks again for your clarification on the testing window.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You have correctly interpteted the CDC advice; a negative HBsAg at 9 weeks or more after exposure is proof against a new HBV infection. If you were not immune (you are), your 11 week negative HBsAg is definitive.
And just so you know, in STD clinics we never test for new HBV infections unless someone has had a known exposure to a known-infectious partner. Otherwise the risk is simply too low to ever need testing.
Anyway, no worries ever again for you about hepatitis B.
And just so you know, in STD clinics we never test for new HBV infections unless someone has had a known exposure to a known-infectious partner. Otherwise the risk is simply too low to ever need testing.
Anyway, no worries ever again for you about hepatitis B.
Thanks for your response. There was a doubt placed on my immunity as the dose was some time ago and the level was low.i was t
Just saying if I am not immune, is my 11 week negative surfAce antigen test enough? Does the CDC 1-9 wk range mean that 9 is the maximum and people don't test positive post 9 wks, or 11 in my circumstance?
Thanks
Just saying if I am not immune, is my 11 week negative surfAce antigen test enough? Does the CDC 1-9 wk range mean that 9 is the maximum and people don't test positive post 9 wks, or 11 in my circumstance?
Thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
But I guess I don't really understand your concern. You are immune to catching HBV. Not only have you been vaccinated, but a blood test shows you still have measurable antibody from the vaccine. Perhaps your doctor knows more about this than I do, especially if he is a hepatitis expert. However, my understanding is that even without measurable antibody, vaccinated people are essentially immune -- and certainly that if there is any measurable antibody, protection is complete. And especially having had a recent booster dose of vaccine, you can and should assume you are not at risk, regardless of what sort of potential exposures you may have. Finally, multiple sclerosis is not associated with the kind of immun edeficiency that would have any effect on HBV vaccine efficacy.
So you should be having no worries about hepatitis B. It's not an issue for you.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
But I guess I don't really understand your concern. You are immune to catching HBV. Not only have you been vaccinated, but a blood test shows you still have measurable antibody from the vaccine. Perhaps your doctor knows more about this than I do, especially if he is a hepatitis expert. However, my understanding is that even without measurable antibody, vaccinated people are essentially immune -- and certainly that if there is any measurable antibody, protection is complete. And especially having had a recent booster dose of vaccine, you can and should assume you are not at risk, regardless of what sort of potential exposures you may have. Finally, multiple sclerosis is not associated with the kind of immun edeficiency that would have any effect on HBV vaccine efficacy.
So you should be having no worries about hepatitis B. It's not an issue for you.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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