Half-way through clinicals, and worried about HEP B

[PrairieDoc]

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Hi, all.

I'm a med student, over 40, who apparently has to get my Hep shots in order even to be considered for residency in any hospital. I went ahead and got my Twinrix (A & B) first two shots. I am deathly afraid to take my third. No, I don't have any of the drastic arthritic pains some people get, but my arm hasn't stopped aching after the second shot, even though it's been three months now.

My questions:

1) Is this common, so I should just shrug it off, and go get the 3rd shot?

2) How far would I get in my applications, if I refuse to get my 3rd shot, and go ahead and send in my documents to hospitals, hoping they just gloss over my missing 3rd shot?

I'll be in the Match next spring.

Thanks.

 

[ncguy2005]

Hi, all.

I'm a med student, over 40, who apparently has to get my Hep shots in order even to be considered for residency in any hospital. I went ahead and got my Twinrix (A & B) first two shots. I am deathly afraid to take my third. No, I don't have any of the drastic arthritic pains some people get, but my arm hasn't stopped aching after the second shot, even though it's been three months now.

My questions:

1) Is this common, so I should just shrug it off, and go get the 3rd shot?

2) How far would I get in my applications, if I refuse to get my 3rd shot, and go ahead and send in my documents to hospitals, hoping they just gloss over my missing 3rd shot?

I'll be in the Match next spring.

Thanks.

I know, I know, I'm not in med school yet, but I think this teeters on the line of asking for medical advice. I'm not sure if anyone will answer your question.

I received my first hep B shot yesterday because the med school I've been accepted to says it could limit which hospitals will allow me to do rotations. I have already had it once (12 years ago), but apparently my immunity wore off according to my titer. Maybe you should speak to the physician in the clinic you received your shot in to clear up your concerns. I was definitely concerned yesterday because I thought your only supposed to get a Hep B series once...

 

[RxnMan]

Hi, all.

I'm a med student, over 40, who apparently has to get my Hep shots in order even to be considered for residency in any hospital. I went ahead and got my Twinrix (A & B) first two shots. I am deathly afraid to take my third. No, I don't have any of the drastic arthritic pains some people get, but my arm hasn't stopped aching after the second shot, even though it's been three months now.

My questions:

1) Is this common, so I should just shrug it off, and go get the 3rd shot?

2) How far would I get in my applications, if I refuse to get my 3rd shot, and go ahead and send in my documents to hospitals, hoping they just gloss over my missing 3rd shot?

I'll be in the Match next spring.

Thanks.

I'll say that you would be crazy not to be immune to Hep B as a resident.

That said, I thought it's something like 60% are immune after the 1st, 90% after the second, and 99%+ after the third shot. That's not to say you shouldn't confirm, as your age may alter your response to the vaccine, but you stand a good chance of being immune. Thus, if you're having some sort of reaction (soreness?), you might be able to get titers for antibodies to Hep B surface antigen and see if you're already immune.

 

[McGillGrad]

You need to complete the panel to be fully immune. Your immune system dictates the schedule and you should absolutely go to get the shot but make sure to mention the complication.

 

[Depakote]

Just a comment:

Please keep the responses to the OP's question limited career and school guidance and refrain from posting any comments that may be interpreted as medical advice, such as how getting or not getting vaccination may impact the OP's health or discussion of adverse events related to previous or future vaccinations, those questions are best answered by the OP's healthcare provider.

Thanks,

The SDN Mod Staff

 

[PrairieDoc]

Thanks, guys. Then I'll go for my 3rd, but make clear to the staff there that my arm hasn't stopped hurting, and then will have to go by their advice. Was hoping I could just slip into a residency program somewhere and never take a shot again. 😉