Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Is Hepatitis B Transmitted Through Intimacy With A Partner?
hi
am Christy frm morocco, and i had this boyfriend who never told me about his health status, and i finally found out that he has this viral disease called hepatitis B, am scared cos i was told that it can be transmitted through kissing and other intimate acts. I confronted him about it and he didn't deny it at all, but claimed its not in the acute stage and that its curable. Now my question is, is it possible i might have contacted the disease too???
am Christy frm morocco, and i had this boyfriend who never told me about his health status, and i finally found out that he has this viral disease called hepatitis B, am scared cos i was told that it can be transmitted through kissing and other intimate acts. I confronted him about it and he didn't deny it at all, but claimed its not in the acute stage and that its curable. Now my question is, is it possible i might have contacted the disease too???
Tue, 4 Nov 2014
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic
HBV is known to be sexually transmitted. Kissing is not much of a risk for HBV but intimate sexual contact is definitely a risk factor.
A person is more infectious during the acute stages of the disease when the chances are almost 3-4% of acquiring HBV from an infected person.
However, chronic stage disease and HBV carriers, specially those who have detectable Anti-HBe antibodies and are e-antigen negative, the infectivity is very less.
For you I would definitely suggest a blood test for HBV since you have been intimately involved with an infected partner and you cannot be sure about his infectivity.
Hepatitis B vaccine is one protective measure against HBV; it is safe and effective and is usually given as 3-4 shots over a 6-month period and is mandatory for people whose sex partners have Hepatitis B to reduce the risk of sexual transmission.
However vaccine is for prevention of infection and not for those who have already acquired it.
Regards
HBV is known to be sexually transmitted. Kissing is not much of a risk for HBV but intimate sexual contact is definitely a risk factor.
A person is more infectious during the acute stages of the disease when the chances are almost 3-4% of acquiring HBV from an infected person.
However, chronic stage disease and HBV carriers, specially those who have detectable Anti-HBe antibodies and are e-antigen negative, the infectivity is very less.
For you I would definitely suggest a blood test for HBV since you have been intimately involved with an infected partner and you cannot be sure about his infectivity.
Hepatitis B vaccine is one protective measure against HBV; it is safe and effective and is usually given as 3-4 shots over a 6-month period and is mandatory for people whose sex partners have Hepatitis B to reduce the risk of sexual transmission.
However vaccine is for prevention of infection and not for those who have already acquired it.
Regards
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Hepatitis b
Loading Online Doctors....