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Does my kids have to be tested?
I know my children all got their hpe b vaccinations? They are 10 yr,4yr,18months. But maybe I infected them, when I did not know I had hbv. Should I test them for it, I know they have to draw lots of blood, like three tubes. Their Pedatrican says they are vaccinated, but should I go get them checked out for sure? Thanks. My wife says no but I really want to. I feel so guilty that I was around my children, and I never knew I had hbv.
My husband has been way less worried about HBV than I have been. He thought I was nuts when I had the kids re-tested when they were in their teens. I can now say that I know they are fine, so if you need that piece of mind tell her that is why. I'm glad you have a supportive wife who is not scared. It sounds like she will help you. Sometimes it's hard to see things clearly when you are overcome by fear. Remember, there are upwards of 400 million people living with chronic HBV and it's estimated that 1/3 or 1/2 of the population has been infected but did resolve. That is a lot of people worldwide.
I forgot, most do not test titers because they assume that they are protected. With high risk, like mothers that give birth with hbsag it is important to test titers. With fathers positive but mothers never positive transmission is unlikely, but it makes you feel better demand it. If your pediatrician will not order the tests you may be able to get orders from your specialist. I know you can order this test now without a doctor at Sonora Quest but do not know if you need to be an adult or not.
I've been through this with my pediatrician. HBV is uncommon in the US and most doctors and pediatricians are not educated with this. The HBV vaccine is not 100% and even health care workers that have to get it sometimes do not show positive titers after several series.
One of my sons did not develop antibodies after the first series. He did after the second. Then, when they were 15,15, 13 I had their pediatrician test for antibodies again. They all tested negative for hbsag and negative for hbsab. The pediatrician didn't know what to do and we sat in her office for 45 minutes while she called the cdc, I found out later when she came back into the office.
I had to educate her. My kids got one booster shot and then a month later tested, and all showed positive titers again. I talked with my liver specialist and was told now that I have that proof of memory immunity they are fine, even if they drop below protection level again, which is common over time.
One of my sons did not develop antibodies after the first series. He did after the second. Then, when they were 15,15, 13 I had their pediatrician test for antibodies again. They all tested negative for hbsag and negative for hbsab. The pediatrician didn't know what to do and we sat in her office for 45 minutes while she called the cdc, I found out later when she came back into the office.
I had to educate her. My kids got one booster shot and then a month later tested, and all showed positive titers again. I talked with my liver specialist and was told now that I have that proof of memory immunity they are fine, even if they drop below protection level again, which is common over time.
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