Hi everyone,
I went to my doctors because of high cholesterol, when she did some blood work she noticed that the liver enzymes were up. She sent me for hep tests and it came back positve, antibodies 191? for hepatitis B. I am now 50, when I was 18 and back in the days of sex, drugs and rock and roll I came down with hepatitis, I am not sure what strain. But the whole group got it. I was never hospitalized then. Could this come back after all these years? Was I maybe exposed again some time? She said that it was old,what ever that means. I am completely ignorant about this. From what I read on the internet, I feel like I have been handed a death sentence.
Would someone please tell me what is going on, what will happen. I am waiting for an appointment with a gastrologist. What will he do? I have no symptoms that I know of. I do have the little pain in the liver area but I had a gallbladder removed last May, it feels similar to that. I was sure that was what was bothering me.
She said that my husband will have to be tested. I work in a school, will this affect my job? I am so scared about this whole thing.
I can't believe that the dumb things we do when we are young come back to haunt us when we are old.
Is A the type that you can get from salad bars etc, B the type from sex and blood, and C the type that is the killer like the Judd woman had? What do they do to treat this?
I thank anyone who can open my eyes and tell me what is going on. Should my son be tested? he is 30 but I gave birth to him..Do you think that he has it, if in indeed this is the old strand?
I am thinking all kinds of negative thoughts here..
Bare with me!:0

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Sudzie

SUDZIE-
Howdy, I am from the same S,D+RR era as you and about the same age, what you probebly got when you were 18 was HAV [Hepatitis A Virus], I too contacted HAV a little younger than you, what was common back then,
HAV is the Hepatitis, as you say comes from salad bars, it is very infectous, and can be passed by coughs or touching everyday objects, HBV [Hepatitis B Virus] is the Hepatitis that is known for being passed with intraveinous drug and sex, HCV [Hepatitis C Virus] passed mainly blood to blood, [intraveinous drugs, blood transfusions, and still unknown how, but not a known sex transmitter, but with precaution still warrented] is the one that the majority of us here have,

Not the "KILLER" Hepatitis, as it is somtimes protrayed, in fact many have had it for twenty or thirty years, it can kill you yes,though many different complacations, but most cases, its like watching paint dry, meaning most times a very slow process,many say you will die with HCV, not from HCV, for me the jury is still not out on that one.

why do some of undertake treatments and some not,? HCV has a dozen different strains, a lot of us -Geno-type 1A's strain, the hardist to treat, and the majority in North America [USA, Canada] others with 2A 2B and 3A 3B strains etc are known more in other countries and easier to treat.
some of us regardless of strains, feel quite normal,so do not need to attempt treatment as yet, other, as I do, feel their Quaility of life has dropped to a point where a treatment is personaly warrented,many want to do treatment before theiy get older, late fifties or older, although not perfected, treatments have improved a lot in the last five years.

As most of us are aging, some of us decided to try present treatments as we are fairly in good condition, as we age complacations multiply, they soon may have a user freindly treatment, but its like having cancer and waiting for a less harse treatment than chemo, might be a while, got the Time?

If you indeed have HBV, there are many precautions that you should be taking, write down all your questions and have a sit down with your Doc, do not leave until all your questions are answered.

Bre Positive, Be Well+

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--Get Outdoors-Enjoy Life----Neil

[This message has been edited by LOST1 (edited 04-11-2003).]

Hi Sudzie,

I'm not well educated about Hep B so I took this DIRECTLY from the CDC site:

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
About 30% of persons have no signs or symptoms.
Signs and symptoms are less common in children than adults.
jaundice
fatigue
abdominal pain
loss of appetite
nausea, vomiting
joint pain

LONG TERM EFFECTS WITHOUT VACCINATION:
Chronic infection occurs in:
90% of infants infected at birth
30% of children infected at age 1 - 5 years
6% of persons infected after age 5 years
Death from chronic liver disease occurs in:

15-25% of chronically infected persons

TRANSMISSION:
Occurs when blood or body fluids from an infected person enters the body of a person who is not immune.

HBV is spread through having sex with an infected person without using a condom (the efficacy of latex condoms in preventing infection with HBV is unknown, but their proper use may reduce transmission), sharing needles or "works" when "shooting" drugs, through needlesticks or sharps exposures on the job, or from an infected mother to her baby during birth.

Persons at risk for HBV infection might also be at risk for infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or HIV.

PREVENTION:
Hepatitis B vaccine is the best protection.
If you are having sex, but not with one steady partner, use latex condoms correctly and every time you have sex. The efficacy of latex condoms in preventing infection with HBV is unknown, but their proper use may reduce transmission.
If you are pregnant, you should get a blood test for hepatitis B; Infants born to HBV-infected mothers should be given HBIG (hepatitis B immune globulin) and vaccine within 12 hours after birth.
Do not shoot drugs; if you shoot drugs, stop and get into a treatment program; if you can't stop, never share needles, syringes, water, or "works", and get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.
Do not share personal care items that might have blood on them (razors, toothbrushes).
Consider the risks if you are thinking about getting a tattoo or body piercing. You might get infected if the tools have someone else's blood on them or if the artist or piercer does not follow good health practices.
If you have or had hepatitis B, do not donate blood, organs, or tissue.
If you are a health care or public safety worker, get vaccinated against hepatitis B, and always follow routine barrier precautions and safely handle needles and other sharps. (View current post-exposure prophylaxis recommendations.)

TREATMENT:
HBV infected persons should be evaluated by their doctor for liver disease.
Adefovir dipivoxil, alpha interferon, and lamivudine are three drugs licensed for the treatment of persons with chronic hepatitis B.
These drugs should not be used by pregnant women.
Drinking alcohol can make your liver disease worse.

Hi Sudzie - I, too, am of the same era. Back in '69 I had HAV and went to the hospital for 5 days for rest, which was the only treatment recommended other than a good diet. About a year later I got what I thought was a relapse, at least that what the doctor told me. Well, a year and a half ago, when they found the HCV antibodies, (and then subsequently tested for the virus itself)they also told me that I had had HBV. Now I am assuming that the "relapse" I had was actually HBV, which was never treated except for rest and good diet. As I recall, I stayed in bed for a week and was fine. I don't know that having the antibodies necessarily means you have the virus. I guess that's where the gastro comes in.

Whatever you do, ask questions of the doctors. I have found that if you don't, they certainly don't volunteer any information. Also, become informed. The previous post is a good start. Just search hepatitis B and I'm sure you'll come up with a wealth of info.

Good luck. Don't panic - It's not a death sentance. And know that you have a lot of people here and at other forums to share with and get support from.

Love & Blessings, Karolyn

Hi Neil, Karolyn and Dirt Diva
Thank you so much for your fast responses. I was glad to see some understanding people from my era. It really stinks what we did to ourselves. When we are young we think we are invincable.
My doc said that she wasn't sure if I tested pos for c or not, for some reason it wasn't on the report or fax that she got. (I sure hope not).
I am wondering if I didn't really have HBV back then. I did have unprotected sex and I shared a needle once. I will not admit that to anyone now though. I am sure hoping that one time did not ruin my life now.
I am a special education teacher for 20 years. I have been bitten, hit and dug many times. I ahve changed diapers and cleaned up bodily fluids long before they stressed the use of latex gloves or gloves weren't available at the time of need. I guess I could have contacted something on the job.
I am waiting for the Gastro to call me back which he didn't today so I am assuming now I will have to wait until Monday.
I had a friend that had cancer and had an awful time with interferon. I am so scared now. I am also discusted with myself.
Neil you mentioned that there are precautions I should be taking now, what are they besides good hygiene.
Karolyn your story sounds like mine except that I wasn't hospitalized, just told to rest for 2 weeks and eat lots of lollipops. I do not show any symptoms. I would like the weight loss, if anything I seem to have ballooned up over the past few months.
Thank you for support and letting me come here to ask probably stupid questions and vent a little.


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Sudzie