Hello!
I have a very urgent question and I really need your help!
Ι was at a gathering yesterday and a friend of mine took my bottle of water by mistake. I am wearing braces so I have small wound in my teeth. My viral load is 1690 IU/mL (undetectable). Is there any fear for infection??? To be honest I am freaking out.
Sorry if it does not belong here but I don’t know where to ask. I am really worried (@HealthExperts).
Best,
Andreas
In this situation, the risk of HBV infection is very limited
Prof. Pietro Lampertico, MD, PhD
Full Professor of Gastroenterology
Head of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division
Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
University of Milan
Via Francesco Sforza 35
20122- Milan
Italy
Phone +390255035432
Fax +390250320410
Email pietro.lampertico@unimi.it
Hi Andreas,
Your viral load is quite low and this is a very low risk exposure event, so the risk of transmission is negligible (although probably not zero).
Does you friend know about your hepatitis? The safest thing would be to inform them so they can have follow up testing if they have not previously been vaccinated. If nothing else it might motivate them to get vaccinated now!
So there is no need for either of you to get anxious, but it would be most responsible to follow up to be 100% sure.
I hope that helps.
Best wishes
Mark Douglas (Infectious Diseases specialist)
She has been vaccinated (she is 26). That means that there is fine. Correct?
Correct, but the presence of protective antiHBs titers must be demonstrated
Prof. Pietro Lampertico, MD, PhD
Full Professor of Gastroenterology
Head of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division
Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
University of Milan
Via Francesco Sforza 35
20122- Milan
Italy
Phone +390255035432
Fax +390250320410
Email pietro.lampertico@unimi.it
Dear Andreas_R, you do not need to freak out!! First of all you have low viral load. Second of all, even if a microscopic amount of virus was in the water, the person’s saliva and gut would kill it. Hepatitis B virus is not going to be transmitter by a microscopic drop of blood through sharing a water bottle. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - and the Hepatitis B Foundation - clearly state that hepatitis B is not transmitted through the sharing of food or drinks. So please, please don’t freak out!!! So sorry I didn’t get to respond earlier. Stay in touch and let us know how you’re feeling now? We really appreciate your turning to us for advice and support. That’s why hepbcommunity.org was formed!!! Always, Joan
Dear Ms. Block,
Thank you very very much for your warm response!!! I talk to the two doctors that monitor me and said the same thing.
I am trying to relax as it has been a stressful day to be honest. But knowing there is no problem is really important. So, I will relax.
I really appreciate your advice and support. I wholeheartedly believe that this community has helped me with its presence (not just today) in so many ways. I am really thankful that this community exists!!!
Again thank you very very much!
Thank you @Andreas_R for your lovely response. We truly hope to hear from you again - to ask questions and also to share your advice and experiences with us. Always, Joan
You cannot catch hepatitis B by sharing a drinking bottle.
Hepatitis B can only be caught by blood to blood contact or through sexual transmission.
If you are vaccinated you are protected from catching hepatitis B. If you are not vaccinated, it is suggested that you get vaccinated.
Very rarely, some people do not respond to vaccination.
Dear Joan, could a vaccinated baby (passive and active vaccination at birth) get infected through breast feeding from a mother with cracked nipples? The viral load was high - at least 4000 iu/ml and the nipples were hurt a few days after the vaccine was given.