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Is Hepatitis-B Contagious?

Posted on Mon, 9 Jan 2017

Question: Hello. I'm a 34 year old female, with 3 young children one of whom is a newborn. My husband is positive with Hepatitis B. His mother had the disease which unfortunately spread to her liver causing cancer and eventually passed away.

Although my husband's virus is dormant and I am negative/immune, I'm very afraid my children can get infected. My husband and I just had unprotected sex and my husband secreted semen on my body and breasts. I washed it off vigorously with soap and water. However I'm afraid to breastfeed or pump now, in fear that there may be a live virus that can survive outside the body from 7 days to possibly a few months??

What should I do in regards to breastfeeding and handling my newborn and other children? Also should I get them tested for peace of mind?

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please get them tested for HbSAg please

Detailed Answer:
Hi... I understand your concern. Exchange of body fluids can cause the virus to spread.

My suggestions -

1. First get yourself vaccinated.

2. Vaccinate your newborn baby immediately and as you are negative, the new born baby will definitely get benefited. But as you are negative, the baby will not require immunoglobulin.

3. Stringent hand washing with surgical hand-rub solutions can be very helpful.

4. As you are negative, you can breast feed the baby and washing the nipple area well.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (22 minutes later)

Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX Is it possible that the virus can survive on my body even after washing with water and soap? If so, for how long?

***When can I breastfeed or pump again? I'm not concerned that I got infected since I'm already vaccinated and immune...I'm concerned the virus could live outside my body and infect my children especially my newborn.

Also, even though my older children are vaccinated, does that mean they are immune like adults are? Do they need to get vaccinated again and if so, when and how often?

Also what are the chances my husband's virus is infectious even though it's dormant?

He's never had any symptoms his entire life and the only reason he found out he has Hep B is because his doctor confirmed the diagnosis after my husband had pneumonia a few years ago.

My husband's health otherwise is very good. We are hoping one day he can be cured and the virus will go away. If that happens, would he be immune for good?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on Hepatitis B Virus

Detailed Answer:
Hi...coming to your queries directly -

1. Hepatitis B virus can survive outside human body for 7 days.

2. After washing the nipple area well you can feed the baby and also use breast pump. Sterilize the breast pump also well.

3. If your older kids are vaccinated, I suggest you check their antibody levels in the blood and if the titres are good no need to vaccinate them again. But if the titres are not adequate, I suggest you re-vaccinate, each with a single booster dose of the vaccine. You need to check for the antibody levels every

4. The chances of his virus becoming infectious cannot be predicted.

5. It is unlikely that the virus will go away. But there are chances that it will complicate the matters and remain dormant. But as I said, this cannot be predicted for sure.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar