Hepatitis B Support Group

I haven't heard about hair loss from the vaccine. If you already have HBV then the vaccine won't help. You have to be vaccinated before exposure.

If you were tested for Hep b then you should have (most likely) gotten whats called a 'three panel'. It's three different tests that help to confirm exposure.

Hep B surface Antigen - This test is generally a qualitative type and just tells you positive or negative. If you are positive or reactive then you have Hep B.

Hep B surface Antibody - This test is generally a quantitative test and gives a measurement. There are more than one type so the references can vary. A common type has a range of 0.00 to 0.99 and any measurement greater than 0.99 is consistent with immunity. (Note: It is possible to have antigens and antibodies present at the same time, however, it's not common)

Hep b core Antibodies, IGM - This test is generally qualitative. If this test is positive or reactive, then the infection is still acute. This means that the exposure to the virus is still relatively new. (within 6 months)

Depending on the outcome of the 'three panel', your doctor may need to order more tests to fully determine your status. Other tests such as HBV DNA are used to determine how much virus is present.

Not every patient that has chronic hep b will need treatment. Some carriers have an inactive virus state. Every chronically infected person does, however, require monitoring. This disease can be very individual.

The good news is that about 90% of infected people will fight off and kill the virus naturally with an immune system response. The remaining 10% become chronic carriers. Those people can live out a normal life span as long as they monitor their disease and take action when appropriate. There are several medications available to help keep the virus at low levels.

Resources to help:

hepb.org
medhelp.org

Become educated about this virus. We fear what we don't understand. Knowledge is power.

Good Luck!

Just as a precaution you should not engage in unprotected sexual activity. Also, do not share use of any household items such as razors, toothbrushes, combs, brushes, etc. The hep b virus is 100 times more infectious than HIV. It is spread through any infected body fluid. This virus can also live outside the body for up to a week.

Your boyfriend also needs to be tested. If he doesn't have it then he can get the vaccine. There are three shots given over a 6 month period. The vaccine is nowadays given at birth. I think this began some time in 1991. I'd say if you were born before mid 1991 then it's likely that you have not been vaccinated.