Hepatitis B

[johardue]

Are infected persons contagious?

 

When people first get hepatitis B, they are contagious for several weeks before they get symptoms and for the whole time that they feel sick, which is 1-2 months. People who do not clear the virus (5-10% of the people who get hepatitis are contagious for the rest of their lives.

 

http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/acd/diseases/hepb/facts.shtml

 

Is it correct to say that 90% of the people that are infected of Hepatitis B are able to flush the virus out? and not have a chronic infection and not contagious?

 

Or the medical test will still be able to detect the infection even thought the body is able to flush it out?

 

What are the implication of a person who has resisted or who are not contagious (90% of the infected)? Do the blood test detect this and cause for concern for people who are planning to go overseas?

 

Burger,

 

Take note that the source you looked at is "Western" , "1st world".

 

Most Hepa B infection that occurs in their setting is "horizontal" - similar to HIV; through sex, blood transfusion or through use of infected needles among others; and usually occurs during adulthood. In this setting, there is a chance that the body can "flush out" the virus provided they have a healthy immune system, even w/o treatment.

 

Here in the Third world, the usual mode of transmission is vertical - from mother to child around the time of childbirth. In this setting the infant's immature immune syatem does not recognize the virus and does not attempt to "flush it out" Thereby leaving a lot more people with a chronic or long standing infection that would probably last their lifetime. In some, the virus' activity is at a minimum that they are not/ will not be contagious and do not develop any complications from the infection (cirrhosis, liver cancer). In some, the virus' activity increases or fluctuates that they become infectious and develop the above mentioned complications. In both cases, you still harbour the virus in your body and will thereby test positive for the screening test HBsAg

 

Once you are able to flush the virus from your body, you will test non-reactive to the HBsAg screening. Unfortunately, this does not usually happen in cases where you acquire the infection during childhood like most cases here in our country

[angel_by_day]

salamat johardue :thumbsupsmiley:

[Burger]

thank you for the reply.

 

So its correct to assume that when healthy adults are infected, they have a bigger chance, around 85-90% of flushing to virus out because of their mature immune system? Or i am wrong?

 

Or the 90% is a high figure to state? flushing out is ambigous.

 

So assuming the figure stated basing on western countries scenario.

 

85- 90% of the adults infected are able to flush the virus out without treatment because of their mature immune system? 10 to 15% of those are not able to flush out the virus are either not contagous, carriers or develops chronic diseases later on?

[Burger]

By the way

 

if you have recovered from an HBV infection and not chronic infected.

 

What wuold be a typical test results?

 

help naman,,

 

 

 

HBsAg ?

HBc Abs ?

HBe Ag ?

HBe Abs ?

hepatitis B antibody ?

[johardue]

thank you for the reply.

 

So its correct to assume that when healthy adults are infected, they have a bigger chance, around 85-90% of flushing to virus out because of their mature immune system? Or i am wrong?

 

Or the 90% is a high figure to state? flushing out is ambigous.

 

So assuming the figure stated basing on western countries scenario.

 

85- 90% of the adults infected are able to flush the virus out without treatment because of their mature immune system? 10 to 15% of those are not able to flush out the virus are either not contagous, carriers or develops chronic diseases later on?

 

 

indeed a good percentage of adults who get infected can clear the virus from their bodies without producing very serious symptoms. however there are those who develop severe symptoms like overt liver failure. It is impossible to predict who will develop a serios illness and those who will not.

 

after the acute illness (whether mild or severe) some will retain the virus in their bodies (chronic infection). Some will have long standing liver inflammation (chronic hepatitis) which may lead to the dreaded complications of cirrhosis and liver cancer. The lucky ones may not develop symptoms and complications at all. In both cases, some will be contagious and some not.

[johardue]

By the way

 

if you have recovered from an HBV infection and not chronic infected.

 

What wuold be a typical test results?

 

 

 

 

 

HBsAg - non-reactive

Anti-HBc - reactive

HBe Ag - non-reactive

Anti HBe - reactive

Anti-Hbs - reactive

[johardue]

Are infected persons contagious?

 

The basic marker for being infectious or contagious is HBeAg. If it is reactive and if your Anti-Hbe is non-reactive, chances are your hepatitis is contagious.

Other factors include viral load or HBV DNA levels

[Burger]

thanks alot for clearing this up....

 

So the bottom line is, its better to have a strong immune system to start with, as well as vaccination to protect yourself and your loved ones.

 

 

By any chance you know what are the factors determining why some people become chronic carriers?

Edited November 22, 2007 by Burger

[johardue]

thanks alot for clearing this up....

 

So the bottom line is, its better to have a strong immune system to start with, as well as vaccination to protect yourself and your loved ones.

 

 

By any chance you know what are the factors determining why some people become chronic carriers?

 

Indeed, a strong immune system and vaccination would give a stong fighting chance against hepa B not to mention a "healthy" lifestyle

 

With regards to the factors which determine who will become chronic carriers it's very hard to fully elucidate. For one thing acquiring it during infancy would increase the chances of having a chronic infection. The body's immune system and the viral load (amt of virus in the body) likewise play a role. There are host and viral factors that come it to play that are quite technical and even too vague to discuss.

 

hope i helped a little

[henyotic]

I just had my hepa b screening. The results were

 

HBsAG = patient's count - 0.478; non-reactive

Anti-HBS = patient's count - 2.000; non-reactive

 

I'm glad I'm Hepa B free but I understand also that my Anti-HBs of 2 is way below the cut-off value of 10. Would you recommend that I get the vaccine? I'm going abroad next month and I don't think I will be able to complete the needed vaccine doses if it's gonna take 3-6 mos. I'm not really sure if it's a good idea to pursue the vaccination. I could just be wasting my money if the incomplete vaccine turns out ineffective. I would really appreciate the advice of the medical experts here. Thanks.

[johardue]

I just had my hepa b screening. The results were

 

HBsAG = patient's count - 0.478; non-reactive

Anti-HBS = patient's count - 2.000; non-reactive

 

I'm glad I'm Hepa B free but I understand also that my Anti-HBs of 2 is way below the cut-off value of 10. Would you recommend that I get the vaccine? I'm going abroad next month and I don't think I will be able to complete the needed vaccine doses if it's gonna take 3-6 mos. I'm not really sure if it's a good idea to pursue the vaccination. I could just be wasting my money if the incomplete vaccine turns out ineffective. I would really appreciate the advice of the medical experts here. Thanks.

 

If you had the vaccine before for 3 doses, you just need another dose as a booster.

 

If not, the standard is 3 doses. It's really up to you

[inarho]

Help me pls...

i want to know, how much for check up in test of Hepa.

I want to know if im affected or not.

 

How much the anti hepa vaccine?

I know it is not cheaper, i want to ask if PGH, have a anti hepa treatment, that cost much lower than private doctor?

pls help me.

i cant check it anymore those passed FR here, no time for backthread.

if anyone have a good heart. just pm me to have a knowledge in hepatitis.

thanks. sorry for my english, im not fluent

english kasi lahat ng post d2 eh. salamat po ulit

[Burger]

screening is between 350 to 700 depends where you have it done.

 

first dose is usually 500

second third and booster is same more or less

 

so youll be spending around 3k all in all to have yourself protected.

 

A very very small price to pay for a longterm peace of mind against HBV

[cherieYIN888]

screening is between 350 to 700 depends where you have it done.

 

first dose is usually 500

second third and booster is same more or less

 

so youll be spending around 3k all in all to have yourself protected.

 

A very very small price to pay for a longterm peace of mind against HBV

 

charges depends on specific laboratory exams and the hospital...

 

[cherieYIN888]

by the way..

 

hepa B vaccines are given free in all community centers (for babies)