• What Is Hepatitis B?

• 
  What Is Hepatitis B?
  • Hepatitis B Facts and Figures
  • Hepatitis B Symptoms
  • Acute vs. Chronic Hepatitis B
• The ABCs of Viral Hepatitis
• 
  Liver Cancer and Hepatitis B
  • Liver Cancer Awareness Month
  • Liver Cancer Awareness Month Media Toolkit
• Hepatitis Delta Coinfection
• Hepatitis C Coinfection
• HIV/AIDS Coinfection
• 
  Frequently Asked Questions about Hepatitis B
  • What is hepatitis B?
  • Why is hepatitis B so dangerous?
  • Is there a cure for hepatitis B?
  • What treatments (medicines) are available for chronic hepatitis B?
  • If the currently approved hepatitis B drugs do not provide a cure, then how are they helping?
  • What can I do if I live in the U.S. and the insurance co-pay for my hepatitis B drugs costs too much for me to buy them?
  • Is there any special diet for people living with chronic hepatitis B infection?
  • What blood tests are important to diagnose and evaluate my hepatitis B infection?
  • Does everyone with chronic hepatitis B need to take medicine?
  • Will herbals, natural “remedies”, Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine, supplements, or vitamins and minerals control hepatitis B?
  • If I don’t need to take medicine for my hepatitis B at this time, what must I do to support my liver?
  • Can a hepatitis B infection be prevented? How can I protect my loved ones?
  • Is the hepatitis B vaccine safe?
  • Is the hepatitis B vaccine safe during pregnancy?
  • Can I catch hepatitis B from the vaccine?
  • If I started the vaccine series but didn't complete my 2nd or 3rd dose on schedule, do I have to start over?
  • I received my vaccine years ago--am I still protected?
  • Should I get the hepatitis B vaccine if I have a chronic HBV infection or have recovered from a past infection?
  • Where can I get vaccinated against hepatitis B in the USA?
  • What should I do if I am diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B?
  • I am diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B, can I get married and have children?
  • I am currently pregnant, and I have chronic hepatitis B. What should I do to protect my baby?
  • Can I donate blood if I have hepatitis B?
  • If I have chronic hepatitis B infection, can I hug my children, partner or friend?
  • I’m in love, when and how do I tell my (prospective) partner that I have hepatitis B?
  • If hepatitis B is sexually transmitted, how come my partner isn’t infected?
  • If chronic hepatitis B is a silent disease, why do I have symptoms?
  • Sometimes I feel sad and depressed because of my hepatitis B status, what should I do?
  • What is the likelihood that someone infected with hepatitis B will develop liver cancer?
  • I’m living with hepatitis B, what should I do to reduce my risk of developing liver cancer?
  • My country does not have a clinical trial for hepatitis B. Is it possible to travel to another country to participate?
  • I keep hearing about a “Functional Cure” for chronic hepatitis B, what does this mean?

If hepatitis B is sexually transmitted, how come my partner isn’t infected?

This is possible, and not an uncommon scenario. There are several factors that may lead to this situation.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) viral load of the partner living with hepatitis B may be undetectable. The lower the viral load in the blood of an infected individual, the less infectious they are. The likelihood of transmitting hepatitis B virus increases with higher viral loads (HBV DNA). Please discuss with your doctor the benefits of antivirals in lowering viral load and potentially reducing the risk of transmitting hepatitis B.

Type of sexual activity is another important factor. There are sexual activities that are associated with higher risk of hepatitis B transmission than others due to the potential exchange of infected fluids (blood, semen and vaginal fluids). For example, anal sex is considered the highest risk sexual activity followed by vaginal intercourse. Oral sex and deep kissing have been reported to be less risky interactions in transmitting HBV. However, any activity that might involve abrasions or trauma may put a person at higher risk of transmission (consider the idea of bleeding gums or cold sores). If you have multiple partners or your partner is in the process of being vaccinated, condoms and dental dams are always recommended to reduce risk of transmission.

Timing of sexual activity may also play a role as sexual activity during the menstrual period poses higher risk of blood contact if the menstruating person is infected. This is why the use of dental dams or condoms is recommended.

Your partner’s hepatitis B status. Your partner may have a current hepatitis B infection, resolved a previous infection, or may have been vaccinated in the past as a child. This is why, the hepatitis B three- test panel (HBsAg, HBcAb total and HBsAb) is standard practice for screening to best understand one’s hepatitis B status. Please encourage your partner to consider the hepatitis B vaccine series if their screening reveals that they are susceptible. The hepatitis B vaccine is safe, effective, and provides lifelong protection.

You will find more information in the blogs below:

If Hepatitis B Is Sexually Transmitted, How Come My Partner Isn't Infected? It’s more complicated than you might think

If I Have Hepatitis B, Why Doesn’t My Partner?

My partner has been diagnosed with hepatitis B. Can transmission be prevented by vaccination?

 

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Find more Frequently Asked Questions here. 

 

Page updated 12/27/2022