Need help: Hepatitis B

[ArchmageNH]

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Hi everyone. I am in a situation that many of you will find absurd, but I just got accepted into 4 medical schools, and at the same time my parents broke the news to me that I have had hepatitis B since my mom had it when she was pregnant with me. I have never experienced any symptoms, but my parents said that my physician said that my latest blood test tested positive for the hepatitis B viral antigen.

Does anyone know if this will preclude me from a career in medicine? I am extremely disappointed that my parents decided to hide this from me, and I am very worried that all my work for the past 4 years was for nothing. Can anyone tell me anything about the current laws and procedures for medical students who have hepatits B? Thank you so much.

 

[Saluki]

Hi everyone. I am in a situation that many of you will find absurd, but I just got accepted into 4 medical schools, and at the same time my parents broke the news to me that I have had hepatitis B since my mom had it when she was pregnant with me. I have never experienced any symptoms, but my parents said that my physician said that my latest blood test tested positive for the hepatitis B viral antigen.

Does anyone know if this will preclude me from a career in medicine? I am extremely disappointed that my parents decided to hide this from me, and I am very worried that all my work for the past 4 years was for nothing. Can anyone tell me anything about the current laws and procedures for medical students who have hepatits B? Thank you so much.

I'm sorry to hear that... I would start out by contacting the medical schools that you've been accepted to (perhaps starting w/ the one that you care the least about 😉 ) I wish I knew more... Best of luck to you!

 

[kiddo12]

Hi everyone. I am in a situation that many of you will find absurd, but I just got accepted into 4 medical schools, and at the same time my parents broke the news to me that I have had hepatitis B since my mom had it when she was pregnant with me. I have never experienced any symptoms, but my parents said that my physician said that my latest blood test tested positive for the hepatitis B viral antigen.

Does anyone know if this will preclude me from a career in medicine? I am extremely disappointed that my parents decided to hide this from me, and I am very worried that all my work for the past 4 years was for nothing. Can anyone tell me anything about the current laws and procedures for medical students who have hepatits B? Thank you so much.

No, it won't prevent you from a career in medicine...this is what universal precautions are for.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

Yeah, it won't preclude you from a healthcare career. Just keep your blood and sex away from your patients. 😉

Write your pediatrician's office and ask for a copy of your medical records. Find out the facts on your diagnosis and then consult with your current physician to make sure you understand the disease.

 

[dbhvt]

Hi everyone. I am in a situation that many of you will find absurd, but I just got accepted into 4 medical schools, and at the same time my parents broke the news to me that I have had hepatitis B since my mom had it when she was pregnant with me. I have never experienced any symptoms, but my parents said that my physician said that my latest blood test tested positive for the hepatitis B viral antigen.

Does anyone know if this will preclude me from a career in medicine? I am extremely disappointed that my parents decided to hide this from me, and I am very worried that all my work for the past 4 years was for nothing. Can anyone tell me anything about the current laws and procedures for medical students who have hepatits B? Thank you so much.

The first thing to do is be sure you were diagnosed correctly. Believe it or not, misinterpreting a HepB lab profile is a relatively common mistake among physicians. It's been a while since I've worked with HepB, so I can't remember which one means you have something to worry about (besides, that would probably be dispensing medical advice on SDN, a big no no, even if I did have a medical degree--which I don't). From what I remember, there's core and surface antibody or antigen positive, and some other stuff too. It's been a few years.

 

[Gerrymandering]

Hepatitis B is quite complicated. Once infected, even if a person "fights off" the infection, there is probably always a possibility of "relapse". Treatment can reduce the degree of your infectiousness (ability to infect others) and your risk of developing liver cancer. Seek out good medical care and see your doctor regularly. Immunize your children, household contacts and sex partners!

Hep B 70% of the time is acute and self limiting but 30% of the time becomes chronic (the body can't clear it)

Don't worry about medical school ! go learn to become a physician...that's the best thing for you now. THINK NOW, DONT THINK TOMORROW!!!--just a heads up...

 

[mojojojo]

How old are you? How is it possible that your parents withheld your own medical information from you? I don't believe that is even legal.

 

[67192]

How old are you? How is it possible that your parents withheld your own medical information from you? I don't believe that is even legal.

Actually, we're discussing this in my bioethics class right now, and I think it is legal.

 

[Em1]

Actually, we're discussing this in my bioethics class right now, and I think it is legal.

Even if the OP is over 18?

 

[MattD]

Hi everyone. I am in a situation that many of you will find absurd, but I just got accepted into 4 medical schools, and at the same time my parents broke the news to me that I have had hepatitis B since my mom had it when she was pregnant with me. I have never experienced any symptoms, but my parents said that my physician said that my latest blood test tested positive for the hepatitis B viral antigen.

Does anyone know if this will preclude me from a career in medicine? I am extremely disappointed that my parents decided to hide this from me, and I am very worried that all my work for the past 4 years was for nothing. Can anyone tell me anything about the current laws and procedures for medical students who have hepatits B? Thank you so much.

I'm afraid I don't have any advice for you, though you have my sympathy. I'm curious though how it is that you're old enough to have been accepted into medical school, yet your doctor called your PARENTS to discuss your 'latest' blood test. Do you not discuss your own medical issues with your physician?

 

[willow18]

Apparently this is a bit topic over in the UK, but not here. I wonder why.

http://www.studentbmj.com/back_issues/1196/st11e.htm

http://www.studentbmj.com/issues/05/05/news/180b.php

 

[67192]

Even if the OP is over 18?

Oh, I guess I was just thinking they withheld the info. until the OP became an adult... but ya, I don't know how it works after one turns 18...

 

[Smoke This]

Hepatitis B is quite complicated. Once infected, even if a person "fights off" the infection, there is probably always a possibility of "relapse".

That's not true. Hepatitis B is not a relapsing infection. You either clear it after an acute infection or you don't.

To the OP: you need to obtain and review your hepatitis serologies as a first step. If you unfortunately do have chronic hepatitis B, it would be a good idea to see a hepatologist in that case as there are treatments available. Cross that bridge if you come to it. Good luck.

 

[willow18]

Careful. No medical advice is allowed.

 

[Smoke This]

That's not medical advice, pal.

 

[willow18]

That's not true. Hepatitis B is not a relapsing infection. You either clear it after an acute infection or you don't.

To the OP: you need to obtain and review your hepatitis serologies as a first step. If you unfortunately do have chronic hepatitis B, it would be a good idea to see a hepatologist in that case as there are treatments available. Cross that bridge if you come to it. Good luck.

That's not medical advice, pal.

Hmmm. Not explicit, but comes close to it. 🙂

 

[dbhvt]

Hmmm. Not explicit, but comes close to it. 🙂

smokes advice was:
go see a doctor if you are sick

I think that flies just fine.

 

[Gerrymandering]

That's not true. Hepatitis B is not a relapsing infection. You either clear it after an acute infection or you don't.

To the OP: you need to obtain and review your hepatitis serologies as a first step. If you unfortunately do have chronic hepatitis B, it would be a good idea to see a hepatologist in that case as there are treatments available. Cross that bridge if you come to it. Good luck.

There is always a chance for relapse. I've heard about a couple of patients where there has been a relapse when infected with Hepatitis B. You don't have to take my words OP, but this is what I honestly know about Heptatitis B. Just see a doctor...it will help you a lot!!! PLAN ON ATTENDING MEDICAL SCHOOL TOO if you think you have it in you...

 

[IDforMe]

There is always a chance for relapse. I've heard about a couple of patients where there has been a relapse when infected with Hepatitis B. You don't have to take my words OP, but this is what I honestly know about Heptatitis B. Just see a doctor...it will help you a lot!!! PLAN ON ATTENDING MEDICAL SCHOOL TOO if you think you have it in you...

Maybe if they had already been treated... or maybe you are thinking of Hep C. Either way, if you are a chronic carrier, I think the best they can do right now is get the virus to an undetectable level in your blood-- even then there is the possibility of a relapse. I don't know the stats on those who go through treatment and relapse though.

Oh, and as others have stated, it will not prevent you from going to med school. For the sake of your own health, though, seeing a specialist (gastroenterologist) is a good idea.

Good luck this fall.

 

[Gerrymandering]

Maybe if they had already been treated... or maybe you are thinking of Hep C. Either way, if you are a chronic carrier, I think the best they can do right now is get the virus to an undetectable level in your blood-- even then there is the possibility of a relapse. I don't know the stats on those who go through treatment and relapse though.

Oh, and as others have stated, it will not prevent you from going to med school. For the sake of your own health, though, seeing a specialist (gastroenterologist) is a good idea.

Good luck this fall.

Yeah, I am not too sure about the "relapse" part. I only know about it from some doctors I've hung around with, but who knows you might be right!! this tells you that im not an expert until i enter physician-hood 🙂

 

[cobalt31]

I'm sorry to hear about this sudden news 🙁 . im so surprised your parents never told you -- what if you accidentally transmitted it to others and never knew?

 

[doublepeak]

I remembered this article when I was reading what shots I need to get to attend UCSF. Read there website: http://saawww.ucsf.edu/health/docs/hepBinf.htm . Obviously this could be school specific, but nothing will be changed with them.

 

[Dave_D]

Well since you're getting into medicine anyway here's a good link

CDC's page on hep-b

Sorry to hear about it though, hepatitis really blows.(But at least you don't have symptoms. Let me tell you vomiting for once or twice an hour for 16-20 hours gets old pretty fast. Before anyone asks, no I don't have hep-b. My hepatologist thinks I have autoimmune hep.) I guess the advice of asking a hepatologist is probably best, especially ones associated with medical schools since if anybody would know it'd be them.(Are you in New Hampshire or something? If so I guess you could call BU about it.) However just looking at things since it's transmitted by blood only I would expect you could still be a physician.(Just keep on top of things so it doesn't go to cancer.) Oh, if they tell you that you should have a liver biopsy let me know. I can tell you what it's like to get one.(Speaking as someone who's actually gone through that one I can say it's not bad. Hell, I've had worse experiences with dental work.)