HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Mother Diagnosed With Hepatitis. Should I Get Tested For It?

default
Posted on Wed, 13 Nov 2013
Question: hi
my mom just got diagnosed with hepatitis, I think I was vaccinated against it about 20 years ago when I was 10 or 11 years old 3 times. should I get tested for it now that my mom has been diagnosed with it?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Polash Sannigrahi (47 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It is better to get tested

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,

Thanks for your query.

Hepatitis is caused by a various strains (types) of viruses.
And the vaccination we usually take (3 injections as mentioned in your post) gives protection only against a single strain of virus (usually Hepatitis B).
The protection of Hepatitis vaccine is likely to be at least 20 years, sometimes lifelong.
In your post you have mentioned about getting vaccinated 20 years ago, but you have not mentioned about the causative organism of the Hepatitis with which your mother has been diagnosed now.

So, based on the above mentioned fact, it is better to get yourself tested to rule out the possibility of Hepatitis. Because the virus/organism causing Hepatitis in your mother may be different from the one against which you are vaccinated.

Wishing you both a Good Health.
Please let me know if I need to clarify further.
Take care.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Polash Sannigrahi

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 3353 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Mother Diagnosed With Hepatitis. Should I Get Tested For It?

Brief Answer:
It is better to get tested

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,

Thanks for your query.

Hepatitis is caused by a various strains (types) of viruses.
And the vaccination we usually take (3 injections as mentioned in your post) gives protection only against a single strain of virus (usually Hepatitis B).
The protection of Hepatitis vaccine is likely to be at least 20 years, sometimes lifelong.
In your post you have mentioned about getting vaccinated 20 years ago, but you have not mentioned about the causative organism of the Hepatitis with which your mother has been diagnosed now.

So, based on the above mentioned fact, it is better to get yourself tested to rule out the possibility of Hepatitis. Because the virus/organism causing Hepatitis in your mother may be different from the one against which you are vaccinated.

Wishing you both a Good Health.
Please let me know if I need to clarify further.
Take care.