Concerns About Hepatitis B Transmission After Needle Injury

Q: Concerns About Hepatitis B Transmission After Needle Injury

Hello： Don't worry, surface antigen 0.01 (-) indicates that you are not a carrier of hepatitis B; surface antibody 1000 (+) represents your immunity. <br>There is no need for testing in children. <br>Changhua Hospital cares about your health. <br>Dr. <br>Tsai An-Shun.

Hepatitis B transmission issues?

Hello doctor, recently my child and I were both injured by a thumbtack on the floor.
I was injured first, and my daughter also bled...
I'm worried that I might transmit hepatitis B to her.
I had a hepatitis B test, and the results are as follows: surface antibody 1000 (+), surface antigen 0.01 (-), core antibody 0.08 (-), HBV quantitative target not detected.
Should I take my child for testing as well?

Youyu de Baba, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2021/10/30

Dr. Cai Anshun reply Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Hello: Don't worry, surface antigen 0.01 (-) indicates that you are not a carrier of hepatitis B; surface antibody 1000 (+) represents your immunity.
There is no need for testing in children.
Changhua Hospital cares about your health.
Dr.
Tsai An-Shun.

Reply Date: 2021/10/30

More Info

When it comes to concerns about Hepatitis B transmission after a needle injury, it is important to understand the nature of the virus and the circumstances surrounding the injury. Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through blood and bodily fluids, and the risk of transmission depends on several factors, including the presence of the virus in the blood of the infected person and the type of exposure.

In your case, your blood test results indicate that you have a positive surface antibody (anti-HBs) level of 1000, which suggests that you are immune to Hepatitis B, likely due to vaccination or past infection. The surface antigen (HBsAg) being negative (0.01) indicates that you are not currently infected with the virus. Additionally, the core antibody (anti-HBc) being negative (0.08) further supports that you do not have an active or past infection. The HBV quantitative test showing "target not detected" confirms that there is no detectable viral load in your blood.

Given these results, the risk of transmitting Hepatitis B to your child through a needle injury is extremely low. Since you are immune and not carrying the virus, there is no risk of transmission from you to your child. However, it is always prudent to monitor for any signs of infection and to maintain good hygiene practices.

As for your child, if they have not been vaccinated against Hepatitis B, it would be advisable to consult with a healthcare provider about their vaccination status and whether they should receive the vaccine. The Hepatitis B vaccine is highly effective and is recommended for all infants and children, as well as adults who are at risk.

In summary, based on your test results, you are not a carrier of Hepatitis B, and the risk of transmission to your child from the needle injury is negligible. However, ensuring that your child is vaccinated against Hepatitis B is an important preventive measure. If there are any concerns or if your child shows any symptoms, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional for further evaluation and guidance.

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