Is Hepatitus A curable? is it really an std? is it serious?

Question

I recently found out that the guy I'd been dating had hepatitus a when he was 8. I hadn't really panicked/been worried at the moment [we'd had sex without a condom a few times already cause i'm on the pill] before my mom [a nurse] told me it's and std and isn't curable- it stays with you all your life, and the way she said it it was like 'serious complications' tone. .

But I've tried looking it up online and it doesn't seem anything like what she said. And while she *is* a nurse [albeit for allergy and such] and smart, I'm thinking [or at least really hoping] she was misinformed. So I'd like to know- Is Hepatitus A really an std? is it serious? is it curable? do i need to worry, besides possibly getting a little sick?

Answer 1

Any form of hepatitis A, B, C, and others can worsen and make you very, very ill, if not kill you, even if you've had no symptoms for years after initial infection.

Each form of hepatitis has a different "intensity of illness" level and recovery level, treatment protocol, vaccination available or not. And, each can be contracted in different ways (though some methods are common between the varied forms).

In a sense, yes, hepatitis A is an STD in that it can be contracted through sex with an infected partner--though it's mostly spread via people toileting and not washing their hands and then handling the food you eat or touching other items you then touch (a door knob and then you wipe your nose or floss your teeth or rub your eyes), etc.

What the general public doesn't understand is that hepatitis (in all its varied forms) is considered by many, many health workers to be more prevalent than HIV infections; and that people are not aware and do not know to protect themselves from hepatitis, especially when it comes to the STD/sexual contact route.

I don't know if your mom is just trying to scare you about hep. A and/or safe sex, but it is also possible that she is making an error in putting hep. A in the "super serious" category. Rest assured, though, that every category of hepatitis is serious and has varying levels of consequence. Not one is to be taken lightly.

I believe that it is hepatitis B that definitely belongs in the SUPER SERIOUS category and the one your mom means if she's simply trying to educate (not scare) you--this form is mostly contracted and passed along by infected prostitutes and their johns, drug users sharing needles, etc.

I remember being told that you were likely a "hard core" drug addict or a long-term sex worker/prostitute, or a person who has had many, many, many sexual partners to have contracted this form, and that it is specifically those categories of people (in additon to the healthcare workers who work with them) who are most at risk and urged to get vaccinated against it.

Otherwise, no matter how you look at it, safe, as well as safer, sex pays. Regardless of knowing your current partner's status--and it's only as current as his LAST blood test for ANYthing--you are, indeed, sleeping with every single OTHER partner he's ever had...including those he's not told you about AND all of those he can't even remember, honey.

Do use a condom.

EVERYtime.

PROPERLY everytime.

No discussion.
No Russian roulette.
No sweet talk.
No "just this once".

No excuses.

Period.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

While some studies say that Hep A does not stay in the body, people who have had it are forbidden to give blood or donate organs. (See the Red Cross for confirmation.)

You can only catch A from somebody if they currently are ill with the disease, or from contaminated food or water. It is not a sexually transmitted disease (that's B and C).

It is not curable per se, but it is treatable. It's the mildest form of Hep.

Answer 4

Hep A causes acute hepatitis in some people infected with it and is spread by the fecal-oral route. The hepatitis it causes is self-limiting and once gone, its gone - does not persist in the body. It is absolutely not sexually transmitted.

Hep B is sexually transmitted, and does establish a chronic infection (in most), so it can be continually spread. It is blood-borne and can be spread sexually. Hep C is also blood-borne and causes chronic infection in the liver, and is theoretically sexually-transmissible, but the jury is still out on whether it routinely occurs (though to be very rare if it happens).

Answer 5

#1 -- You have NO WAY of knowing POSITIVELY that he had HAV (Hep A Virus) -- except HIS SAY SO !!!!!!
#2 -- You are RISKING Y O U R L I F E by having SEX without a condom with ANYONE (including JC himself -- please excuse the blasphemy, btu THIS REALLY UPSETS ME, because you young people terrify me -- YOU DO NOT T H I N K !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I understand the raging hormones, BELIEVE ME -- BEEN THERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But this is a different time !!!! And I am sorry you young people will never know the freedom we enjoyed, but it's OVER -- for us too !!!!! USE your BRAIN !!!!!)
#3 -- Every time you have UNPROTECTED SEX with someone -- YOU ARE HAVING UNPROTECTED SEX WITH EVERY-ONE THAT PERSON HAS E V E R HAD SEX WITH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#4 -- This boy, guy, could have had Hep B and been misdiagnosed or he could be lying to you !!!! MEN WILL DO A N Y T H I N G TO GET WHAT THEY WANT (SEX -- ESP BAREBACK SEX !!!!! --- DONT BE A DUMBY, DONT END UP WITH HEP OR AIDS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LISTEN TO YOUR MOMMY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND ME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#5 Never have sex with any man unless you are engaged and the wedding date is set !!! If he LOVES YOU he will RESPECT YOUR WISHES, he will be MATURE ABOUT SEX, ETC !!!! If not, what have you lost -- a user !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#6 --- WHY ARE YOU RISKING YOUR LIFE!!!
#7 -- Do you want Children one day???? You are risking their futures by what you are doing now & if you get aids are you willing to get prgnant and risk giving that INNOCENT BABY AIDS ?????????????????????????????

JUST a few thought !!! Ponder them and use your brain!
#8 -- NO SEX with this future fiancee w/o COMPLETE BLOODWORK 1ST FOR BOTH OF YOU !!!!!!
I've had two relationships over the past 22 years since AIDS became widespread knowledge. Both times I had a talk with my man about AIDS and told them that for both our lives & safety we both had to be solely committed to each other (you'll know if he loves you or if he's a cheat -- you will sense it & go with your senses -- God gave them to you for a reason !!!) and we both had to have complete bloodwork b4 we were intimate. Done in a loving, thoughtful way any intelligent man will see the wisdom in this and respect you for it!!!! Both say YES, No problem. Both were free of any disease and we were then free (emotionally, mentally and physically to GET WILD -- with each other) .
Best Wishes & Use your Brain !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If he wont agree or says stuff like: We already did it. Say, true, but I was not thinking clearly. I've had time to think and our health is a serious matter and having children is important to me (living is important to me). I want us both to have full bloodwork.
If he gets angry, says no, etc -- drop him -- he's using YOU and YOUR BODY !!!! He DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU, NOR DOES HE LOVE YOU & he NEVER will !!!!!
The right man is out there !!!! FIND HIM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!