Question
Will Hepatitis B carriers transmit the virus? My boyfriend is a Hepatitis B carrier, and we plan to get married. Is there a way to avoid our child from being infected? What is the difference between a Hepatitis B carrier and having Hepatitis B? Will I be infected by him? Please provide a detailed explanation, as I am not very familiar with Hepatitis B. Thank you!
Answer
Hepatitis B is a contagious disease, primarily transmitted through blood, mother-to-child, and sexual contact. The degree of infectivity depends on the level of Hepatitis B virus DNA, with higher values indicating stronger infectivity. Preventive measures include vaccination to achieve immunity, and if you have sufficient Hepatitis B antibodies (antibody titer greater than 10 international units), you have some immunity against the Hepatitis B virus.