Yes we are sure when we heard in my pregnancy my sister had some infection at that time, she had very much load also her liver also started effecting her with pain, but they didn’t explain us clearly about that even doctors told them to get vaccine for husband and baby,she always used to stay outside of home upto marriage,later after 3 years when I got pregnant doctor said it is very early stage not even HBV DNA not detected,so we had that test for my mom , little sister,father… My mom also got positive ,my little sister and my father are negative…
@Harini , Am not sure whether you got confused between other hep b tests and Anti HBS test in terms of cost.
HBV DNA costs 4000-7500 rupees in India. This test is costlier compare to other hep B tests.
Anti HBS test costs less than 1000 rupees in online labs such as 1mg, Pharmeasy. Its 750 rupees in 1 mg, 450 rupees in pharmeasy for my loaction. Test amount varies and depends upon labs and location.
I’m telling about HBV DNA test only after my delivery I am stopping TAF medicine which I’m using now in my pregnancy doctor said after 1.t month I have to have a DNA for load,and all other tests related .
Recently on June 26 I took HBV DNA quantitative analysis tests and LFT test it costed me 9000 rupees for HBV DNA quantitative analysis tests and 600 rupees for LFT test ,in KIMS hospital in Andhra Pradesh.
Here in the town we live we only have 3 gastroenterologist among 3 of them I choosed this doctor hoping he will help better because mostly no doctors have good information about this in our town… And doctor said after stoping medicine I have taken test every 45 days upto 6 months which is very burden to us in our present situation also have to do antibody tests for my husband and first child
In our town only Apollo hospital and kims hospital have this test no other hospital r laboratory is performing this tests, also my delivery us nearer and baby immunoglobulin globin vaccine costed 8000 rupees in 2023 itself now it’s cost has increased, we are family of 7 with new born my husband is the only one earning and it is a very very burden for him.
Is there anything in India to help @Harini, HB clinic, phone, email. Where she can get information.
In my opinion, not a doctor, she is confused and paying for unnecessary tests.
Also on medication during pregnancy doctor says stop, do another DNA test?
After delivery I’m going to stop medicine as prescribed by my doctor,he said after stoping medicine we should monitor your liver function and HBV DNA levels closely. Specifically, liver function and HBV DNA should be checked at 6-12 weeks postpartum. So it costa be 9600 rupees and doctor said this monitoring should be done for 6-12 months depending on how my body reacting and test reports,even after that monitoring should be done every 3 months
I understand your financial constraints, and I’m sorry about the same.
You are very much concerned about infecting your family members and getting them vaccinated. Knowing their anti HBS count is necessary firstly for this. I can completely understand how you feel and i was in the similar situation when i came to know my infection. I got all my family members tested for HbsAg and anti hbs and all of them - Wife, Son, Mother and Sister have immunity fortunately. Vaccination is not required for them. Likewise, if your family members already have immunity, vaccinations are not required for them. Lets hope for the best. This will help to give some mental peace, and dont have to worry about infecting them forever.
Did you get anti hbs test done for your family members anytime in the past and know their anti hbs values?
For your financial Constraint, have you ever been to any state or district hospital for your familie’s HBsAg testing, and Vaccination concern, I think they can have your family tested and can give your family vaccination for free of cost or at low cost.
We stay in Andhra Pradesh , upto 2021 hbsag vaccines are given free in government hospitals here , later not available we have to take them privately, here vaccine is not a concern because it cost around 120 rupees per dose and my sister, husband and child had vaccination already,also we are planning to give birth dose of hep b vaccine along with immunoglobulin vaccine which is suggested to babies born to hep B positive mom’s at birth. My concern is HBV DNA quantitative analysis tests which costs around 9000 rupees and it should be done regularly to monitor HBV DNA levels , if we ignore this tests then load will increase and cause liver attack
@Harini It sounds like you are very worried about infecting your family. One of the benefits of antiviral medication is that it drastically reduces the risk of spreading HBV to other people. That’s the reason why it is often recommended during pregnancy – the vaccine at birth + HBIG may not be enough for babies born to mothers with a very high viral load. If you can manage it financially, it might be a good idea to continue taking the medication indefinitely so that you can further reduce the risk of spreading HBV to family members.
Yes, agree with @et5656, if it is cheaper to get the antivirals (TAF is not the only option, but TDF and ETV can also be used) than continually get tests, this may be an option you could consider.
I myself am not sure about the support structures in India, but perhaps some of my hep B foundation colleagues (@CFreeland@chari.cohen@Yasmin) have some connections in country.
One thing has always bothered me. Whenever I check my daughter’s immunisation card, I notes that she wasn’t vaccinated against this virus yet the policy is clear that children/babies need to be vaccinated immediately after birth.
Questions.
What next that is now 1 and half years without being vaccinated?
Is there any legal proceedings I can take against this hospital?
She has frequently fallen sick with terrible fever and seeing her her eyes slowly turning yellowish. Isn’t this a sign that my my only daughter is already infected?
Do you understand why your daughter remains unvaccinated? What have the doctors told you? You are correct to point out the recommendation that all babies and children must be vaccinated or receive the birth dose immediately after delivery. I am sorry to hear about her not feeling well. Can you get her checked, and if possible, tested for hepatitis B? I understand your frustration, and I will be too. I hope you can find some answers as to why she remains unvaccinated. Please keep us posted. Bansah1