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Hepatitis can lead to serious liver damage. We cover basics about liver anatomy and define hepatitis here. Plus info on the different types of hepatitis....
What are the major causes of Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C? Start here to learn what puts you at risk so that you can avoid the serious liver disease...
A list of the symptoms of each type of Hepatitis here. Plus, when you should seek medical attention for Hep signs and symptoms....
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Q: HBV and HBs
asked by: DoctorQuestion on May 7th, 2008
My question is : HOW is this Hbs virus transmitted ( if at all ). I wonder if it can be transmitted through sexual contact be it protected or not, by kissing or by household items not properly washed.


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Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD
replied on May 8th, 2008
Liver Disorders, Hepatitis A,B,C Answer A4073
HBs is not a virus but a virus’s antigen (HBs-Ag) that serves as a serological marker for proving infection with Hepatitis B – virus (HBV). HBs can be detected in people who have acute Hepatitis-B or chronic Hepatitis-B and in people who are virus carriers but who do not have Hepatitis-B. People who overcame Hepatitis B do not have HBs in their blood but only antibodies against HBs.


HBV can be transmitted parenterally which means the virus should reach your blood. Such direct contacts are possible during unprotected sex, using a needle that is contaminated with infected blood (intra venous drug abusers or accidentally in the medical personal), or during pregnancy from infected mother to fetus. The virus can neither live long outside human body nor can it pass through intact skin or mucosa. This means that you can get infected when you hold a contaminated object only if you have a fresh wound on the hand and if the object is freshly contaminated by the virus. The same stands for kissing. If you have cuts or erosions on the lips or inside the mouth you can get infected with HBV.





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