Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Can you help me interpret these results for my mother, who is 75 years old? My sister has been positive for hepatitis B, and we treated her to make sure.
Could you please review and let us know the results and what the HBV total core test means?
Kindly help.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I read your query and understood your concern.
I read the attached report (attachments removed to protect the patient’s identity).
From the report, the interpretation is that the patient has been exposed to the hepatitis B virus and has cleared the virus.
The exposure could be due to infection with the virus or vaccination. This is a good sign and shows that the body’s immune system has cleared the virus. Hepatitis B is caused by a virus that attacks the liver. When the attack occurs, core antibodies appear. (In the case of your mother, core antibodies have appeared.)
After this, initially HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) becomes positive. Then, when the virus is removed by the body, HBsAg becomes negative. (In the case of your mother, the HBsAg is negative.) This shows that the infection has been cleared by the body.
You reported that your sister was infected with the virus and was treated. In all probability, your mother may have been exposed to the hepatitis B virus from your sister only. This is not an uncommon situation, as the virus usually spreads through close contact situations in which there is a transfer of secretions.
So, do not worry; this is a good situation.
I hope that this answers your query.
Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I recently had a baby, and I am feeling anxious about contracting hepatitis B or human immunodeficiency virus.
I went for a few regular blood tests, and I am worried about a few things that happened, such as whether the technician used old gloves (which might have the previous person’s blood) or if the table was properly disinfected or had any traces of blood, which are beyond my control and knowledge.
Can you please share any insights on the chances of infection from such laboratory visits?
It will be really helpful if I can get some input, as I am extremely anxious and worried that I might pass an infection to my family. I have just had my first dose of hepatitis B today, and my baby had the hepatitis B vaccine at birth and is one month old. In addition, I am also worried about the human immunodeficiency virus from such laboratory visits. Can you please share the chances of infection from such laboratory visits?
Kindly help.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and understood your concern.
Unfortunately, it is true. Lack of precautions during blood tests does result in a chance of spread of hepatitis B or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). But the good news is that most of the clinics follow universal precautions, which are designed to prevent such a spread of infection. To that extent, the use of universal precautions is now compulsory in all health care facilities.
So, my advice to prevent such a spread would be:
Go only to registered clinics. By law, all clinics are required to display their registration number on the display board. This registration is subject to their following universal precautions and having the necessary facilities.
Whenever you go to any clinic for any tests, insist on universal precautions. Insist on the wearing of fresh gloves and the use of fresh needles, syringes, and blades. This is your right, and your insistence is absolutely justified.
With the use of these precautions, the spread of infections is very low nowadays. So, with these precautions, you should have a pleasant and healthy experience in registered hospitals.
I hope that this answers your query.
Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
In the case of my mother, since the hepatitis B antigen is showing negative now, does it mean she is currently not able to transmit the virus and is safe to be around the newborn?
Could you please confirm?
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and the replies.
Yes, since your mother is now HBsAg negative, she is non-infective. It is safe to be around her. The risk of infection spreading is minimal. This is a good sign.
Thank you and take care.
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