if i have had my shots for hepatits b when i was young am i still protected as an adult

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italy1 asks:

In Topics: Physical Health

> 60 days ago

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Expert

Wayne Yankus

Sep 14, 2009

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What the Expert Says:

Generally, yes. If there is a doubt or a long time has elapsed, your doctor can send you to the lab for a "titer" on a blood sample to prove immunity. For some adults it fades, or never took. If you are entertaining a career in health care, it is important to be checked.

Wayne Yankus, MD, FAAP
expert panelist: pediatrics

Resources:

www.aap.org

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Additional Answers (1)

bob , Parent writes:

Your doctor is best qualified to answer this question based on knowledge of your immunization history, the specific vaccination program you underwent, and the general state of your immune system. The US Centers for Disease Control has a fact sheet on Hep B (URL below) that uses the phrase "long term protection" and "possibly lifelong" in the section on the vaccine

But, please do confirm this information with your doctor. Knowledge and medical opinion do change over time, and there is a lot of variation among us.

Resources:

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-hep-b.pdf

> 60 days ago

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