Can you still be exposed to Hepititis B when you had your vaccine shots?
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What did you test positive to? There are several Hep B tests; the HBsAb means you've been exposed and have the antibodies. That exposure could come from a vaccination or exposure to the virus. If you tested positive to HBsAb, but weren't vaccinated, then you would need further tests to see whether or not you fought off the virus, or whether it's chronic infection.
So in your case, you should find out if it was the antibodies you tested positive for (HBsAb). If it was a different test, such as the HBsAg, that indicates you have the hep b virus, and you would need further tests to see if it is active or if your immune system cleared it.
The HBV vaccine is said to last 10-15 years. You would need a titer to get to see if you are still protected.
One word of caution; if you DO have hep B, your newborn child must be given two shots in the delivery room - the first dose of
hepatitis B vaccine and one dose of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG). If these two
medications are given correctly within the first 12 hours of life, a newborn has a 95% chance of
being protected against a lifelong hepatitis B infection. The infant will need additional doses of
hepatitis B vaccine at one and six months of age to provide complete protection. If a woman knows
that she is infected, it is important that she tell her doctor to have these two drugs available when she is ready to deliver. If a baby does not receive these drugs in time, then there is a greater than 90% possibility that he or she will become chronically infected. There is no second chance!
Hope this helps you. Hep B is very complicated. For more information, check out the links below. Best wishes.
yes
sometimes the immunity will wear off or you may not have had the three doses within the right time span so it may not have been effective go to cdc.gov
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