Patient's question:
I have a good friend who has hepatitis B, with advanced liver cirrhosis (). Because we are very close, I’m afraid he might become depressed and take his own life, so I often accompany him to go out and have dinner together. I looked it up myself and found that it’s absolutely impossible to get infected through saliva, so I didn’t take it seriously. However, recently I’ve noticed that my immunity has weakened significantly—I get a cold just from getting slightly wet in the rain, and my nose also tends to peel easily. Everything else is normal, with no liver area pain or joint aches. Recently, a classmate from medical school told me that hepatitis B can be transmitted through saliva, which has made me very uneasy. Could I possibly be infected? Additionally, my mother was a carrier in the past, but she recovered after about two years without any issues. Will I bring the bacteria home if I frequently interact with a hepatitis B patient? Please help me explain this to me. Thank you in advance.Doctor's answer:
This friend, based on the situation you mentioned, the hepatitis B virus will never spread through the digestive tract, but it can spread through blood routes. For example, if there are oral ulcers, sharing meals with a person with chronic hepatitis B () may lead to the possibility of transmission. In this case, it is recommended to undergo tests for the five hepatitis B markers and liver function to confirm any abnormalities. If all five hepatitis B markers are negative, the hepatitis B vaccine can be administered for protection. The daily treatment for chronic hepatitis B () primarily focuses on symptomatic treatment. The patient can take many oral medications, supplement with various vitamins, and pay attention to regular routines, avoiding smoking and alcohol. It is hoped that the chronic hepatitis B () patient can recover as soon as possible!