I want to say again that my understanding was that if a person had had a shot in the Hep B series, they would test positive for Hep B for that reason alone, since the test for Hep B is an antibody titer (not a test for the virus itself). Therefore, a doctor's visit would be in order.
When I received the Hep B series before travel, I was told that the first shot provided enough protection that it was okay that I wouldn't be getting the second shot before I returned home.
I have a feeling you will be neg because of simple math. The chances of any one sexual encounter resulting in transmission of a Std is small.
Was the person you had sex with a pros? If so, you would not be the first man to do that. Ask her to be tested for hiv/hepb/hepc/herpes. YOU pay for the test.
I am sure you know Hiv and hep B are sexually transmitted viruses. Hep C is not. C is a blood borne transmission from ,mainly, blood transfusion, organ transplant and intravenous drug use. Sexual transmission is possible but rare and even less so female to male. Sexual transmission is usually male to female.
If you cannot contact your partner, get tested yourself. Call 'request a test' 1888-732-2348 and ask for a hiv and hep panel. Stop beating yourself up over this. use it as a learning experience and move on with life. GET TESTED and put your mind at ease.
You're very kind! Thanks for your confidence in life.
got me to smile this saturday morning. :)
What I meant --- "unprotected sex is usually not that big of a deal" I don't mean for you to go out and have unprotected sex.
It's more that --- sometimes it happens.... Don't beat yourself up over it...
And be careful.
Meki
cr@p happens.
No worries - get on with your life...
Chances are you probably didn't get anything unless the person you were with had massive diseases.
And chances are in this day and age - you're probably ok.
The whole series needs to be complete to be effective.
But I wouldn't worry overly much. And you're not annoying anyone.
Sometimes life is scary.
Most of us on the Board here are HepC positive - and are either going through the treatments/have gone through the treatments --- or have family that are... or are considering treatment.
Unprotected sex is usually not that big of a deal. So ease your mind - go get tested --- but don't worry that much - OK?
HEPC is not that contagious sexually - HEPB is --- but chances are unless your partner was infected you won't get it.
Be careful from now on tho - OK?
Meki
I've only had unprotected sex once in my life...that's all, and from this experience I am not going to make that mistake ever. I'm so disgusted right now that I can't even think about sex, forget enjoying it.
I was actually wondering the same thing whether starting on HepB vaccination with first shot will help in testing matters. I actually want to know if the first shot will help me and give me protection in any way (I know one of the responses suggest that it will help in limitation), but does anyone have any more insight I can get.
Also, this is not out to annoy you, but I seriously would like to know if you guys suspect anything like HepB or HepC prior to me getting tested. Please help. Thanks again.
Try not to have more unprotected sex, and talk with your doctor. As for testing, will that work once a person has started the Hep B vaccination series?
Go get tested - copyman is right...
Methinks that will ease your mind or set your path the most efficient and worryfree way.
Meki
get tested. no one here can help you speculate about what you "may" have contracted. you have received some great info here from the people that responded. there are no doctors here, go see a doctor and get tested.
Thanks for your reply. The thing is I am not sure how one actually gets HepC. Some say that it is very rare sexually transmitted, and that makes me concerned. What are the possibilities, and how does one contract HepC?
When I did my blood test, I was told that my ALT was slightly off. And that worries me because I don't take any medication which could cause that. I don't have fever, but occasionally have light stool. I'm not sure when exactly when someone goes through this acute phase. Is there a window period? And do these symptoms come in severe forms?
I'm extremely nervous about this and can't even move on properly with life...any help on this matter will be greatly appreciate it.
What makes you think you might have been exposed ot B or C?
You have next to no chance that you might have contracted C, so why don't you just get tested for B if you are worried. There is probably next to no chance on you contracting B as well without you knowing it. B has a very serious acute phase that would have many symptoms including fever, jaundice, dark urine, light stools, fatigue and nausea and much more.
Does anyone have any other feedback for me? Please.
Thanks for your quick reply. It's very much appreciated.
Do you know why you have a gut feeling about my negative result. Your reassurance is definitely helping me.
First of all, Hep B is much more likely to be sexually transmitted than hep c.
Hep B is considered a Std while hep c is not. The first booster of hep b vaccine will give you some protection but not as much as the series of all three shots.
Would it be possible to have your partner tested? If that comes out neg, you have no worries. If that test is +, you should be tested for whatever your partner test + for. Everytime someone has sex with an infected person, transmission does not always happen. In fact, in most cases transmission does NOT occur.
If you cannot find your partner to be tested, get tested yourself for hep b and hep c. I have a feeling you will be neg.
Learn from this and remember the anxiety and worry the next time you are tempted.