INTRODUCTION THREAD: People affected by Hep B

Just diagnosed or new to the community
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Hi @Lucas, I would consider this a major red flag. A doctor cannot diagnose you with hepatitis B without running blood tests. If you have not seen the results of blood tests that they ran, ask for a copy of those results. That being said, it seems likely that you do have hepatitis B, given that you said in your previous post that your siblings also have it. In that case, I would suspect that you probably contracted it from your mother at birth. I’m not sure why the tests that you got before coming to Canada showed that you were negative for hepatitis B, but I will say that tests are not 100% accurate, which is why I’d recommend that you get re-tested if you’re unsure.

A similar thing actually happened to me. I was adopted from China, and came to Canada as a baby. According to my parents, I tested negative for hepatitis B before I came to Canada. Several years later, my doctor ordered another test, and it was positive. I was referred to a gastroenterologist, where they did more tests that confirmed this diagnosis.

Trust in a patient-physician relationship is extremely important. Your doctor should help you feel informed about your condition, and explain treatment options to you before prescribing anything, so that you can understand the risks/benefits. It sounds like that is not happening for you. I know that this is hard to do in the Canadian healthcare system, but if possible, I would try to get a second opinion. They might give you the same diagnosis, but if they are able to help you feel informed, empowered, and hopeful about the future, it’s so, so worth it.

I understand where you’re coming from with this. Dating when you have hepatitis B is hard. On one hand, you need to disclose your condition to any sexual partners, because of course we don’t want to cause harm to other people. But on the other hand, we want to build enough trust with someone before we feel comfortable disclosing. This is something I personally struggle with as well. Especially these days when it seems like everyone just wants to hop in bed together right away (sorry, I really don’t know of a nicer way to say this). But please, please know that if you’ve gotten hep B from mother to child transmission, it’s NOT your fault, and you didn’t do anything wrong. Also, if it makes you feel any better, taking antiviral medications (e.g. tenofovir or entacavir) significantly decreases the likelihood that you will pass the virus onto someone else, so I wouldn’t worry so much.

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Hi @Lucas,
I hear and empathize with you. Your immigration experience is something many migrants to a foreign land go through. You have arrived in a new country where every single thing you have known is different. You have to learn everything to fit in. Sometimes it is challenging to do this. I have watched videos of people from my home country in Canada complaining about similar stuff. I don’t know what most migrants from Africa were promised, but those promises are not reality. Excuse me to say this money does not grow on trees in the west. Some Africans believe there is money lining the pavements or streets in the west and you can pick them up and become rich. That is a fallacy that many young people are made to believe. One must work hard to earn their money. These connections people lie about the conditions migrants will be travelling into. The migrants get disappointed upon arrival and realize they have been duped.

From your responses and messages, I think there is more going on than hepatitis B. I think you make an accusation that somehow someone in Canada intentionally infected you with hepatitis B and that somehow you are being targeted because you are African. But you already shared that you have 5 siblings who all confirmed to have tested positive for HBV. You have every right to be angry, frustrated, disappointed, etc., but try to avoid accusing others without evidence. Clearly you were infected before arriving in Canada based on the history of your siblings.

I had a similar experience to you. I went through a vigorous immigration process before coming to the US. What I found out is when it comes to hepatitis B, they do not test people to see if people are already infected, rather they test to see if they have protection. If you don’t have protection, then you get vaccinated. This gives a false sense of protection to many immigrants. Like you, I thought I was good once I was vaccinated during my immigration process. The truth I found out later was that I was already infected so the vaccines were not needed. This was about 7 years after arriving in the US.

HBV is not only transmitted sexually, the majority of patients are infected through birth when an infected mother transmits the virus to their baby called vertical transmission. I am a Christian too and it pains me to hear that you believe you are infected as a punishment. What did Jesus say about the blind man when he was asked whether the person was blind because of his sins or that of his parents? God does not use illness such as a viral infection to punish people.

Hepatitis B is a naturally occurring virus in our world. It’s been known to be around for many decades. If exposed as a child, the risk of chronic infection increases. Many patients with HBV have been able to live a normal life. They marry, have kids, travel, work, and do many more just as others without HBV do. Don’t let fear hold you back. You are more than HBV and can do whatever you want to do.

Please, talk to someone or seek professional help. I sense that you might be feeling down given everything that you have going on. Please seek help. Don’t think seeking help makes you feel weak, it is actually a strength to recognize that you need help and seek it. Additionally, if you can try being kind to yourself by not being too hard or critical about yourself. I totally agree with @Caraline and @Goldmond.

I wish you the best, and hope your condition improves. Bansah1

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Thank you very much Bansah. If I may ask, is there any medication I must be on since I’m a chronic carrier now? Or do I have to see a gastroenterologist to have all of my questions answered?

Also I’d like to ask if hepatitis patients don’t face any restrictions or rejections in getting visas because of the infection. Thanks, once again.

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@kehinde,
Most chronic patients do not require treatment. It might be a good idea to see a provider that treats hepatitis B to get a great picture of your condition using imaging and blood work results to determine if you do need to start treatment or not. But on a whole not every chronic patient will require treatment.

There are some countries that would deny you a visa because of your HBV status. They are in the minority as most countries do not use HBV positive test in determining whether someone gets a visa or not.
Best, Bansah1

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Hello @Kehinde . Not everyone with chronic hepatitis B requires treatment with medication. You will need ongoing monitoring with a gastroenterologist or hepatologist (though not all gastroenterologists and hepatologists are experienced with treating hepatitis B). Your eligibility for treatment will depend on your liver function tests, and viral load.

In terms of restrictions for getting visas to travel/immigrate to other countries, it varies by country. I immigrated from Canada to the US as an adult, and I had no issues. They did not require me to be tested for hepatitis B before issuing my visa. I’m not sure what the regulations are for other countries though.

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Thank you for the clarity, Bright and Emma. I will act on what both of you highlighted and update the community as my health progresses.

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Hello @Kehinde
I just want to clarify what @Bansah1 and @et5656 have said; blood test and ultrasounds twice a year. Don’t wait for symptoms because there usually isn’t any.
That’s why it’s such a deadly disease.

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Can you clarify further please? What do you mean?

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@Caraline was saying that not requiring treatment means medication. You will still need to be monitored with blood work and imaging once or twice each year. I hope this helps. Bansah1

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Alright Bansah. I have been feeling some unusual activity in my rib cage towards abdominal area for a while now. and I think I’m scared. But I intend to go see a doctor who’ll refer me to a gastroenterologist on Monday. This is my first time seeing one since my diagnosis last year November. I know I’m due to see one.

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Please, feel free to share that and any other related problems with them on Monday. Try not to worry too much, I understand that feeling of the unknown. I wish you the best with your appointment and keep us posted. Bansah1

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@Kehinde

I hope your appointment goes well

Keep us updated.

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Hello @Lucas,

This story is very familiar too me as I have lived it myself. It’s understandable to be overwhelmed. I had some very bad mental problems when life gets very stressful. I would be hyper sensitive to any cuts or even peeling (dry) skin on my body even though they pose ZERO risk of transmitting hepatitis B.

My lived advice is to not overthink too much about your condition, it’s not good for your mental health. I know it’s hard to do, and you are distracted with intrusive thoughts during stressful situations. However, you can still live the life you dreamed of if you overcome the mental barriers. If someone is vaccinated for Hep. B, there practically zero risk of transmitting the virus to them even through sexual contact. I felt guilty for a long time in hiding my condition, but it’s not my, or anyone else’s guilt to bare.

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My name is Augustine. I am originally from Nigeria but currently reside in Paphos, Cyprus.
In 2018, I was diagnosed with Hepatitis B. Since then, I have been on Tenofovir Disoproxil 245 mg as part of my treatment plan. Later, my doctor also recommended that I take Vitamin D3 (2000 IU) to support my overall health.

I’m pleased to share that since 2023, my viral load has been undetectable

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Hi @Augustine1,
Welcome to the community, and thanks for sharing your story. I am glad to hear you found a doctor, started treatment, and are undetectable. This is great. Keep up with your treatment, and feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here as a community to support each other in whatever way we can. Best, Bansah1

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Are you still on medication or got a break.??

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Hi to Everyone,

My name is Ravi Mehra, and from India, and I am new to this Family.
In December 2023, I got out that I passed the test of Hep B. When I was also having jaundice and Anemia. So, I was admitted for that and found out I also got the gift of having Hep B, by knowing that I got to know the mysteries of my stomach Pain, which happened when I was of age b/w 12-15. It was recurring for some years, then it stopped.

From 2023, when I got to know I have Hep B, my HBV DNA for the past two years of knowing it has remained undetected.

Thank you for this Platform where we can share our stories, and learn about this Community, and help more people.

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Hi Ravi,

Welcome to the community!

I am a fellow Indian and I came to know about HBV status in last November.

I am sorry about your HBV infection but its good to hear about undetectable DNA count for the past 2 years.

Are you under medication that manages to keep DNA count undetectable?

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No, I am not on any medication that manages DNA count.
But I am Taking some multivitamins for my deficiencies.

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Have you tested negative for HbsAg? What’s your HbsAg qunatiative values for the last 2-3 times?

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