No insurance

[Donna5095]

We haven't had insurance for about 3 years, so my I am very concerned about my husband who was diagnosed about 5 years ago with chronic hep b.  He was supposed to be followed up with, I believe annually, with the specialist. He went 2 times and his liver enzymes, back then, came out unchanged, but that was about 2 1/2 years ago.  Right now, as a contractor, he is in-between jobs and we don't qualify for state help (or self insurance as he has a preexisting condition).  He seems healthy, but I am concerned for his health.  What do you think we should do.  Do you think he would be ok for a while longer?  May be a long time till he finds a job with a company that offers insurance.  I guess what I am wondering, is what is the progression of the disease, any chance that his liver could be affected asymptomatically? I don't want to lose my husband, he is only 36 years old, and I am so worried!  Please let me know if he is at risk right now.

[cajim]

If he is between jobs, he may qualify to be seen in the state-run clinics and have his liver panel test done every 3 to 6 months.  That will be the best way to know how he is.

[zellyf]

The problem with Hep B is that *is* largely asymptomatic until  things get out of hand.  The disease typically has a slow progression but based on your photo I'm guessing your husband is Asian and may have been infected at birth or very early childhood.  He definitely needs to be monitoried more regularly.  You both need to get more educated about HBV and make your decisions baesd on that.  For starters please refer to the  Hep B Introduction and Welcome page at this website (scroll all the way to the bottom in the right hand column).  

Most chronic HBVers do very well but careful monitoring is key.