Should I get Hep B vaccine.. odd situation, I don't know what to do!

[Jareth64]

Because I'm gay my nurse said I should have a Hepatitus B vaccine. The problem is, after my mum had the same vaccine she contracted severe Rhumetoid Artheritus! I found there IS a link between the two after a Google search and it's one of the rare side effects. Someone on Yahoo! Answers seems to have got arfheritus after having his jabs too. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvKA2R7pCxGl06wlApuiBmcjzKIX?qid=1006030313992 (just like my mum had)

Now I don't know what on earth to do? Considering she's my mother and we share genes it seems likely I'd be at risk of that side effect as well, yet I guess I'm at risk if I don't have the jabs too! It seems like I'm at risk either way... :(

Currently thinking of not having it. Am I fairly safe if I don't sleep around all the time? But you can even get it through kissing. Urgh. :(

Please help! Thanks.

[stevenNYer]

Could a geneticist be consulted on the risk of RA given your unique situation?  Do keep in mind that a 90% chance of natural clearance of HepB by an adult.

[mremeet]

Is there a way you could be screened to find out if you are vulnerable for developing RA? I thought I remember reading somewhere about some kind of test that would give insight on vulnerability to it?? I dunno, my memory is a little hazy right now. In the meantime you'll just have to follow the same safe sex rules as all of us do. To do otherwise is to put yourself at grave peril, especially considering the prevalance of HIV, the various forms of hepatitis within the gay male community and the high risk sexual practices which maximize the risk of transmission. Also, I'd probably get the hep B shots. Although you should be tested for the hep B antibodies before doing so. If you've been sleeping around, you may already have been exposed to hep B. Fortunately hep B is cleared in something like 90% of the people who become infected with it. It's pretty rare for it to become a chronic permanent long term infection (but it definitely happens). Anyway, there's a chance you've already gotten it and cleared it. If so, I'm pretty sure you wont need a vaccination.

[copyman]

gays should have the hep B shots. this is very prevalent in the gay community and is spead very easily with sex, etc. the odds of getting something from the vac is very low. if you weigh out the odds it is much easier to get hep b then a side effect from the vac.

[stevenNYer]

Tough situation indeed.  RA is a tough disease.

Hence I would say, skip the vaccine and practice safe, very safe sex.  The HepB virus doesn't discriminate.  It's an equal opportunity virus.  If you are gay and practice safe and sensible sex, I don't think you are at an increased risk.  

If you don't have HepB, just be aware of your partner's HepB status.  I would say be open with your own situation and ask your partner if he is a HepB carrier.  If so be extra careful and be sure to use a condom.

The HepB virus is said to be found even in saliva and sweat but transmission in this manner is very low.  If it easily transmit in this way, the entire world's population without immunity would be infected.  So I think you could kiss but make sure there are no cuts or even cold sores in your mouth, gums, etc and no biting.  I read that even if you swallow infect blood and you have no cuts of your own on your mouth and throat, the acid in your stomach would kill the virus.  So if the blood / virus don't enter your bloodstream, you should be okay.  So talk to your doctor and see what your doctor says.

Good luck.  

[Alady1620]

I would probably take the risk with the vaccine but that is just me.  tough situation.  I didn't realize homosexuals were at a higher risk for hep b.  That sucks. :0(

[tobywankenobi]

Do you have hep c, I think that you need to have the vaccine for both hep a and hep b, for these along with hep c can be fatal. I have Hcv and am having to do the series of vaccinations due to the conciqunces of me contracting Hav or hbv. Talk to your doctor thoroghly about family history write your questions down as you think of them before you go, so you will have them there. Delimas and more delimas, you have my sympathy as this can be all very confusing........I have come to ask all the doctors what thier experiance is, This is a speciallised field, after all they did not have a test to detect this virus until 1992 years after a test for HIV. Good luck.......and keep posting.