Girl with Hep B

LegacyUser

Hi,
Found out a friend of mine has Hepatitis B recently. Now she told me "its not sexual or anything" but reading stuff online it seems thats basically how it is transmitted.. bodily fluids or something. I asked her about this and she said "well thats what they said... they wouldn't want it getting spread".

Now I've liked her for ages and am mad about her and I'm just wondering is this so serious that I shouldn't even think of having a relationship with her? Because nothing online will say bluntly "run a million miles".

So I'm just wondering is it common? Is it like getting aids in the sense that one should run a million miles (in a relationship sense, I've no problem speaking to people with that... or this depending on what the replies are).

She says she will get well at some stage... anybody know if it will be infectious for long? Is her life expectancy diminished?

Does the GP do the vaccination or should I just call the hospital? What precautions should I take (if any?).

Thanks

AngryBadger

Not a medical board. But for what it's worth, transmission is most commonly by bodily fluids, and in many respects it is analogous to the transmission of most HIV, (ie. by having intercourse, sharing needles etc.). Transmission by sexually transmission can occur in up to 40 % of cases. If her infection is acute, then it should clear itself up, however this could takes weeks/months depending on her general health.

Putting all that aside for a second, I'd be more concerned with how she got infected? Is she having unprotected sex with many aprtners? Is there the possibility that she has other conditions you don't know about?

Also, she says

Questions wrote:

I asked her about this and she said "well thats what they said... they wouldn't want it getting spread".

This is a little unclear, but it sounds like she's trying to play down the sexual aspect of transmission? Maybe she's just embarrassed, which is understandable. I'd say if she can't/won't answer the above 3 questions....well, personally I'd leave her alone.

Talliesin

Hep B can be passed by sexual contact. It can also be passed in many other ways, as the virus lives outside the body for days.

Some people continue to carry the virus after symptoms go, or even if they never develop symptoms. Others recover completely. The degree of infection potential varies from case to case.

Those who do continue to carry the virus have an increased risk of liver cancer or cirrhosis.

If you are going to either have sexual relations or be in regular close contact with someone infected with Hep B you should consider getting vaccinated. Talk to your GP or contact one of the following:

Aisling Clinic
Cherry Orchard Hospital
Ballyfermot Road
Dublin
(01) 626 2476

Baggot Street Clinic
19 Haddington Road
Dublin 2
(01) 6102149

Mater Misericordiae Hospital
Eccles Street
Dublin 7
(01) 8301122 ext 2063

St James's Hospital
James's Street
Dublin 8
(01) 4162315/6