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STDs (Expert Forum)
Should i be worried?
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
Should i be worried?
by whatmighthappen, Sep 07, 2006 12:00AM
hello
i met a girl 2 weeks ago. we liked each other and currently dating her. however we start kissing "french kissing" for a couple of days. we had protected sex and NO oral sex. in a conversation, she told me that she had hepatitis B and she was treated in a hospital and that was long time ago(she didnt say if she is cured or not). she didnt specify how long ago it was. am i at risk of contracting the virus if i keep seeing her and having sex? i see on different websites that its curable (80%)and it can go away and on other websites they say its not. i am really worried.
Thank you
i met a girl 2 weeks ago. we liked each other and currently dating her. however we start kissing "french kissing" for a couple of days. we had protected sex and NO oral sex. in a conversation, she told me that she had hepatitis B and she was treated in a hospital and that was long time ago(she didnt say if she is cured or not). she didnt specify how long ago it was. am i at risk of contracting the virus if i keep seeing her and having sex? i see on different websites that its curable (80%)and it can go away and on other websites they say its not. i am really worried.
Thank you
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Sep 07, 2006 12:00AM
, Sep 07, 2006 12:00AM
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is not transmitted by kissing, and condoms are highly protective. So even if your partner is still infectious, you can be sure you have not (yet) acquired HBV from her. However, you might be at risk in the future, depending on her HBV status and the nature of your sexual practices with her. But there is simply no way to know without more information.
If she cannot get clear information from her current or past health care providers, then a simple blood test can tell whether she is still infected and if she could pass the infection. I suggest you go together to a health care provider so both of you can be tested. (There's always a chance you already have been infected somewhere along the line and now are immune to HBV. Also, depending on your age, you might have been vaccinated against HBV with your routine childhood shots.) If she is still a carrier and your test shows you are susceptible to HBV, you can be vaccinated to prevent infection, while using condoms for the few months it takes to get all 3 doses of vaccine. Even if your relationship doesn't continue, it's a good idea for all sexually active people to be immunized against HBV anyway. Then you would never have to worry about it again.
To answer your last question, most HBV infections clear up on their own; 80% sounds about right. For those that don't, only a minority can be cured, and it is a serious problem, sometimes life threatening. Don't take chances with it.
Bottom line: Find a health care provider evaluate all this, perhaps including blood tests in both of you, then follow his or her advice about prevention. If you or your partner don't have a private provider, your local health department would be an appropriate place to start.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
If she cannot get clear information from her current or past health care providers, then a simple blood test can tell whether she is still infected and if she could pass the infection. I suggest you go together to a health care provider so both of you can be tested. (There's always a chance you already have been infected somewhere along the line and now are immune to HBV. Also, depending on your age, you might have been vaccinated against HBV with your routine childhood shots.) If she is still a carrier and your test shows you are susceptible to HBV, you can be vaccinated to prevent infection, while using condoms for the few months it takes to get all 3 doses of vaccine. Even if your relationship doesn't continue, it's a good idea for all sexually active people to be immunized against HBV anyway. Then you would never have to worry about it again.
To answer your last question, most HBV infections clear up on their own; 80% sounds about right. For those that don't, only a minority can be cured, and it is a serious problem, sometimes life threatening. Don't take chances with it.
Bottom line: Find a health care provider evaluate all this, perhaps including blood tests in both of you, then follow his or her advice about prevention. If you or your partner don't have a private provider, your local health department would be an appropriate place to start.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
