Exposure

[Scared about this]

1.So, I don't know if you answer these kind of questions here, but I read everywhere that French kissing can transmit hepatitis B. This has me scared like no other. All this time I thought mono and herpes were the only oral infections to worry about. Is this true?

2. Is there a window period after possible exposure to hep B and C that you should wait before you get tested for it? How accurate is the current testing technology?

Again, I don't know if you answer these kind of questions here, but information would be much appreciated.

[Douglas Dieterich, MD]

Thanks Meki, you said it all! HCV is NOT sexually transmitted or transmitted by kissing, however HBV is. Go get Vaccinated and stop worrying! And while you are at it, get Hepatitis A vaccine too!
Stay safe! DTD

[meki]

1.So, I don't know if you answer these kind of questions here, but I read everywhere that French kissing can transmit hepatitis B. This has me scared like no other. All this time I thought mono and herpes were the only oral infections to worry about. Is this true?


Hep B is transmitted through Bodily Fluids - which can and do include saliva. So yes - HEP B is possibly transmitted through French Kissing.

STOP WORRYING - go get your HEP B Innoculation Shots... That way you won't have to worry about HEP B.

Sigh --- folks who worry about HEP B - should be the first in line to stop it in themselves --- go get the shots so you will be immune to it.

2. Is there a window period after possible exposure to hep B and C that you should wait before you get tested for it? How accurate is the current testing technology?

60 - 90 days is an accurate window.

60 for B and 90 for C... BUT --- anything after 4 - 5 months should be completely accurate.

I'm a firm believer that Hepatic Testing should be done every 2-3 years on EVERYONE. Catching this disease is easy --- treating it when knowing about it sooner could prevent a lot of problems and unneccessary medical bills.

For example - in my situation - because I had no risk factors - (known ones) - everything else was looked at first and I was very sick for 2-3 years. BEFORE a simple hep test was done. I went through every other test possible.

When they found the HCV - it was a freaking relief to know it wasn''t cancer or other disease --- and to know it wasn't all in my head that I was feeling awful.

As to how accurate is the testing?

Unless you get a really BAD test --- (one that is literally not functioning properly) --- then they are EXTREMELY ACCURATE.

So --- in other words if you test NEGATIVE --- 99% chance of you being negative and it's time to quit worrying.

False positives do happen --- probably less than 2% of the time.

Dr. D probably does answer these types of questions - but it's the weekend - and you're probably sitting there scanning this place becoming more paranoid over time... so I figured I'd give it a go to try and help you know that --- you're probably just fine.

Meki

[palmbeachinfo]

Hi this is my first post. I tested for hep a b and c at 3 months it was negative and I just re-tested for it on July 2nd 5 1/2 months also with a liver enzyme my doctor said the results should be in on July 9th. I am concenred I had unprotected anal intercouse on Jan 15 2008 then at 4 months my urine is a dark orange, I have burning sensation pain my left and right side of ribcage. Also my stomach is bloated granted im 5-10 180 lbs 6 months ago I weighed 168 Lbs. I also have burning pain in my hands and sometimes my feet. On my hands I have yellow discoloration on my palms of my hands and the bottoms of my feet and toes appear to have a yellow color. I am hoping this is not jaundice. Any advice you can give me I would greatly appreciate it, especially what foods are healthy for the liver I have been taking Milk Thistle for 2 months, I heard that was good for the liver.