hep b transmission

[finsterman]

can hep b be tramsitted thru penis/anus or penis/vagina rubbing?

otherwise, intercourse was protected...

i have elevated liver/pancreas enzymes and i a concerned...

thank you.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

There are no data to answer this question with certainty.  But most likely secretions have to be exchanged.  Certainly the risk for genital apposition without penetration must be much lower than for intercourse with ejaculation.

Whether or not this is important in your case of course depends in part on the cause of your abnormal liver enzymes.  Presumably you are getting health care for that and tests are underway to determine the cause.  The combination of both liver and pancreatic enzyme abnormalities doesn't sound like hepatitis B; I would wonder about a gall bladder problem or alcohol.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[finsterman]

thank you.

physiologically speaking, does the infected secretion (vaginal) have to have direct access into my bloodstream, ie. an abrasion?  or just dive right down into the urethra/mucosa?  I am confused as to the "bloodborn virus", and "blood to blood transmission"  partcularly with Hep B....

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Yes, infected secretions have to come in contact with your bloodstream.  With or without an abrasion, that is much less likely to happen with the kind of exposure you describe than with intercourse with ejaculation.

I won't have any further comments.