Hep B and kissing/oral sex

[la_mestiza_415]

I am a woman and I am a Hepatitis B carrier. I know that there is a risk of transmitting HBV through vaginal and anal sex. Is it possible for me to transmit HBV to my partner if I engage in deep kissing and perform fellatio on him? I've spoken to two doctors about this - one told me there is no risk and the other said that there is a small/low risk. I've researched this question online and I've seen a mix of responses.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  The problem here is that there are no studies that I am aware of on the transmissibility of hepatitis B through oral sex or, for that matter, even if the virus is present in saliva.  The possibility of oral transmission of hepatitis B is not even mentioned in textbooks of infectious diseases or of medicine.  So the best I can provide is an educated guess.  Remembering that many people have now been vaccinated with the highly effective hepatitis B vaccine and that we DO know that HIV (which parallels hepatitis B in most ways) is only very rarely ACQUIRED (vs transmitted) by giving oral sex to an infected partner, I would say that if it occurs at all t is a very, very rare event.  Obviously, in any relationship in which one person has a chronic STI we suggest disclosure and would do so in your case but, beyond that, I would not worry an awful lot.

I'm sorry there are not more data.  I hope this perspective is helpful to you. EWH

[la_mestiza_415]

Thank you very much for your response, Dr. Hook. You have been helpful.