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Hep B carriers
I work with a developmentally disabled individual who is reported to be a "carrier". She lives with several other individuals, and all of them have been vaccinated, as have the staff and I. Recently there was some concern about the individuals' laundry being washed together, and I thought it should be okay, because the dryer should kill any virus. Then I researched and saw the virus was 100 times stronger than HIV by one source. Does doing the laundry of a Hepatitis B carrier with others in the household put the others at risk?
With limited info in this case, "carrier" means at some point in that resident's life, doctor diagnosed her with HepB, PROBABLY confirmed as chronic and PROBABLY "inactive" at that time. Inactive means little virus activity / replication so that resident has little liver inflammation and is less infectious to others. Often times, treatment is not needed in this situation. But the disease could re-activate. That is the reason why all HepB folks needs monitoring. If needed, treatment is avaialble for chronic HepB, but no cure.
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Does anyone know about the spread of Hep B through semen? How long it lasts I am bleaching everything and myself..scared some got on the floor and on sheets
So, this next question may sound stupid... they say she's a carrier, but I haven't known her to take tx in 11 years. If someone contracts the virus, are they always carriers? Can someone be treated and not be a carrier?
Thanks for drawing my attention to that and i am really glad you did.
Some web sites state breast feeding as a means by which the virus could be transmitted.
I think the cdc website is great and regularly updated. I am really relief to know that breast feeding has been ruled out. Great news to all infected moms.
Wish you all a very great weekend.
Chao!
Some web sites state breast feeding as a means by which the virus could be transmitted.
I think the cdc website is great and regularly updated. I am really relief to know that breast feeding has been ruled out. Great news to all infected moms.
Wish you all a very great weekend.
Chao!
jack1642: Actually, HepB moms are encouraged to breast feed their children. There is not a risk of transmission via breast milk. See this page for more:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/faqb.htm
Scroll down to "How HBV is spread". It says, "Hepatitis B is not spread through food or water, sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, coughing, sneezing or by casual contact."
Also, Hep B transmissions from mother to child typically do not occur in-utero during the pregnancy but during the actual delivery when there is a lot of blood and minor skin traumas.
steven: I think my source of infection was probably the same as yours...childhood vaccinations given in Asia.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/faqb.htm
Scroll down to "How HBV is spread". It says, "Hepatitis B is not spread through food or water, sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, coughing, sneezing or by casual contact."
Also, Hep B transmissions from mother to child typically do not occur in-utero during the pregnancy but during the actual delivery when there is a lot of blood and minor skin traumas.
steven: I think my source of infection was probably the same as yours...childhood vaccinations given in Asia.
Lolly: I admire your reception to our feedback. All individuals with HepB face discrimination due to ignorance. Zellyf gave a good example on the soccer moms. When a nurse (yes a nurse) found out I use meds used to treat HepB, you know what she did... she pulled her chair back and started to cover her nose and mouth. She was trying hide it but I saw her discomfort and intention. I first felt upset but then I felt sad for her. For the sake of your residents, please do advocate for education of there behalf. Because for that resident with HepB, although those safe may be well intentioned, they WILL discrimate against him or her. That is why it's unacceptable.
JD: And yes, all those vaccinated should confirm for immunity by testing reactive / positive for the HepB surface antibody. And yes, our virus does rule...don't be jealous...LOL.
Zellyf: Yes, the risk of infection in some places could take place with "casual contact". Like this scenerio: Asian family, with HepB father with huge viral load. During the course of casual contact he could infect his kids because he shaves, brush his teeth, and with a huge viral load, the virus could find its ways to the home environment through cross contamination. So there's a good possibility that the virus could be on his hands / fingers during usual activities. Let's say his son has a cut, nose bleed, crying, needs helps to brush his teeth, etc he has to attend to him right, so the virus finds it's way in. But transmission in this manner is still low. As you know most are vertical transmissions. Similiarly, my own case, I didn't get it as a STD. I probably got it from a bad needle. Not from doing drugs, but doctors reusing needles in Asia for giving shots, and since 3-4 out of 10 has HepB, it's likely that the needle hit them before it hit me. Back then, who knew. It doesn't really matter how. Since I have it, I'm thankful that I know. As I said before, most don't know.
JD: And yes, all those vaccinated should confirm for immunity by testing reactive / positive for the HepB surface antibody. And yes, our virus does rule...don't be jealous...LOL.
Zellyf: Yes, the risk of infection in some places could take place with "casual contact". Like this scenerio: Asian family, with HepB father with huge viral load. During the course of casual contact he could infect his kids because he shaves, brush his teeth, and with a huge viral load, the virus could find its ways to the home environment through cross contamination. So there's a good possibility that the virus could be on his hands / fingers during usual activities. Let's say his son has a cut, nose bleed, crying, needs helps to brush his teeth, etc he has to attend to him right, so the virus finds it's way in. But transmission in this manner is still low. As you know most are vertical transmissions. Similiarly, my own case, I didn't get it as a STD. I probably got it from a bad needle. Not from doing drugs, but doctors reusing needles in Asia for giving shots, and since 3-4 out of 10 has HepB, it's likely that the needle hit them before it hit me. Back then, who knew. It doesn't really matter how. Since I have it, I'm thankful that I know. As I said before, most don't know.
Jack,
Don't misunderstand me. It is not my belief that HBV is spread through laundry. I ask because in all of my reseach, (pitiful tho it may be) I found not a word about it. Probably because it is a non-issue. I know that it is contact with bodily fluids that spread it. I don't want anyone to think I am judging them or the individuals I serve.
I am dealing with an old mind set that was developed in the sixties, seventies and eighties and before universal precautions were commonly used. This is no excuse... That is why I ordered pamphlets to distribute, because I want everyone to know the realities of this infection.
Thank you for the information as every bit helps.
Don't misunderstand me. It is not my belief that HBV is spread through laundry. I ask because in all of my reseach, (pitiful tho it may be) I found not a word about it. Probably because it is a non-issue. I know that it is contact with bodily fluids that spread it. I don't want anyone to think I am judging them or the individuals I serve.
I am dealing with an old mind set that was developed in the sixties, seventies and eighties and before universal precautions were commonly used. This is no excuse... That is why I ordered pamphlets to distribute, because I want everyone to know the realities of this infection.
Thank you for the information as every bit helps.
HBV is not in any way spread in the manner you think possible.
It is NOT spread by sneezing, coughing, hugging or using the same dishes, forks or knives.
It spreads from person to person when body fluids are passed between people.
The kinds of body fluids that spread hepatitis B are: blood,
breast milk, semen and fluids in a woman’s vagina.
Sexual intercourse. From sharing needles during drug use.
From infected needles, for example in a tattoo shop or when you have your ears or other parts of your body pierced.
From a woman to her baby during birth, or when she is pregnant.
From a woman to her baby during breastfeeding.
From sharing toothbrushes or razors (when blood has been in touch with the toothbrush or razor).
Between people who live under the same roof, when one person has hepatitis and the rest not vaccinated.
Washing clothens with that of a hep b patients as a means to contract the virus is not a possibility.
It is NOT spread by sneezing, coughing, hugging or using the same dishes, forks or knives.
It spreads from person to person when body fluids are passed between people.
The kinds of body fluids that spread hepatitis B are: blood,
breast milk, semen and fluids in a woman’s vagina.
Sexual intercourse. From sharing needles during drug use.
From infected needles, for example in a tattoo shop or when you have your ears or other parts of your body pierced.
From a woman to her baby during birth, or when she is pregnant.
From a woman to her baby during breastfeeding.
From sharing toothbrushes or razors (when blood has been in touch with the toothbrush or razor).
Between people who live under the same roof, when one person has hepatitis and the rest not vaccinated.
Washing clothens with that of a hep b patients as a means to contract the virus is not a possibility.
Thank you all so much for your help. I think each of you has given some really good info, and its all stuff I can use to bring my agency into the 21st century. A lot of our founders are really old school, and after sharing this info with my boss, she said we don't want to be backwards.
There is a fine line between responsibility and respect that we should be careful about.
There is a fine line between responsibility and respect that we should be careful about.
I'm glad that you came here and asked. I didn't know much about hepB either until I got the call from my OB saying, "Oh by the way, did you know...." You could have just freaked and created a bad situation for everyone and believe me, I know enough people who would have done just that. If some of the soccer moms I rub elbows with had any idea I know we would be persona non grata at many a playdate.
Then again, it would probably get me out of bringing snacks...
steven...maybe I'm wrong but I thought HR once said that in some circumstances hepB could be spread through normal household contact like in Southeast Asia where some have viral loads in the billions and are shedding virus all the time. He suggested that might have been my source of infection as I lived there as an infant but neither of my parents have or have had the virus. Did I misunderstand? I was flummoxed as to how I got this if the people who were caring for me didn't have it and I wasn't really getting out much at <17-months old. My GI suggests that I got it from needle sticks associated with childhood vaccinations which I did receive there.
Lolly68, that would certainly most likely NOT apply in your situation where steven's example is probably much more relevant.
Then again, it would probably get me out of bringing snacks...
steven...maybe I'm wrong but I thought HR once said that in some circumstances hepB could be spread through normal household contact like in Southeast Asia where some have viral loads in the billions and are shedding virus all the time. He suggested that might have been my source of infection as I lived there as an infant but neither of my parents have or have had the virus. Did I misunderstand? I was flummoxed as to how I got this if the people who were caring for me didn't have it and I wasn't really getting out much at <17-months old. My GI suggests that I got it from needle sticks associated with childhood vaccinations which I did receive there.
Lolly68, that would certainly most likely NOT apply in your situation where steven's example is probably much more relevant.
Steven - Wow!! Your virus RULES!!!
Lolly - You say residents and staff have all been vaccinated. A test to ensure that the vaccine was successful might be in order.
Lolly - You say residents and staff have all been vaccinated. A test to ensure that the vaccine was successful might be in order.
I was concerned about the question's appropriateness as well, but the individuals we work with are non-verbal, and I believe it was asked purely from concern for the other individuals in the home, not with self serving purpose. Education is very important for those of us who care for these individuals. By care for, I don't just mean the act of providing for their needs, but love as a member of the family. Many people are inexperienced with this situation, and need more knowledge. that's why I came here and posted the question.
As for education for staff, I have ordered some free pamphlets and plan to distribute them so staff will be more informed. The suggestion of a guest speaker is provocative, and I will speak to our administration to see if this could be arranged for all of our staff, not just those working directly with individuals that are dealing with these issues.
As for education for staff, I have ordered some free pamphlets and plan to distribute them so staff will be more informed. The suggestion of a guest speaker is provocative, and I will speak to our administration to see if this could be arranged for all of our staff, not just those working directly with individuals that are dealing with these issues.
"there was some concern..." I hope those people are household members and perhaps their families. If you they are staff members, that is unacceptable. They need to invite a guest speaker with good knowleged on HepB to talk to these individuals.
HepB is NOT spread by casual contact. And doing laundry is much much less than "casual contact". You're talking about infected blood getting onto clothes in significant amounts, survives the wash cycle with detergent and maybe bleech, survive the dry cycle, somehow manage to stay in its undiluted pre-wash state, jump to another piece of clothes, find an open wound on the other person, jam itself into the wound to enter the bloodstream, and infect that person. THAT is one MEAN virus. Take THAT HepC folks. Can your virus do THAT....yeah, I think not.
I would say the chance of getting HepB via laundry is the same as HepB mutating into a airborne virus and infect the whole world.
I'm glad you asked this question because education has to start somewhere, but it's a sad indicator on what's known about HepB in general.
HepB is NOT spread by casual contact. And doing laundry is much much less than "casual contact". You're talking about infected blood getting onto clothes in significant amounts, survives the wash cycle with detergent and maybe bleech, survive the dry cycle, somehow manage to stay in its undiluted pre-wash state, jump to another piece of clothes, find an open wound on the other person, jam itself into the wound to enter the bloodstream, and infect that person. THAT is one MEAN virus. Take THAT HepC folks. Can your virus do THAT....yeah, I think not.
I would say the chance of getting HepB via laundry is the same as HepB mutating into a airborne virus and infect the whole world.
I'm glad you asked this question because education has to start somewhere, but it's a sad indicator on what's known about HepB in general.
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