r/hepatitisBsupport

I contracted hepatitis B when I was 4 years old, in 1997, in Poland. We never knew exactly how it happened, but the suspicion was that I became infected during a hospital stay, possibly because the same needle had been used more than once.

My parents did everything they could to help me, but unfortunately the infection became chronic. Throughout my childhood I was monitored every six months, and the results were always good. The virus seemed to be inactive — basically “sleeping.”

When I was around 21, I asked my doctor what hepatitis B would mean for my future sex life. I still remember his exact words: “You would have to produce a bucket of sperm to infect somebody.” That reassured me, and I started my adult life without being particularly afraid of the virus.

I finished university and moved to the Netherlands when I was 23. Here, I met the love of my life.

I had sex for the first time when I was 24. Afterwards, however, all the fear suddenly came back. I spent almost an entire week crying because I was terrified that I could have infected my girlfriend. Eventually, I spoke openly with her about it. She told me that she had been vaccinated against hepatitis B, that she still loved me, and that she wanted to stay with me.

So we moved forward with our lives.

We bought a house, bought cars, built our careers and, most importantly, started a family. Our first son was born in 2021 and our second in 2024. Both have been vaccinated according to the Dutch vaccination programme.

Today I am 33.

Last month, I started experiencing persistent pressure/discomfort in my abdominal area. I went to my doctor, and because of my history, we decided to investigate my hepatitis B again.

I have to admit that since moving to the Netherlands, I had not been monitoring my HBV nearly as regularly as I should have.

These are my latest results:

- HBV DNA: 4,988 IU/mL

- HBeAg: Negative

- Total bilirubin: 18 µmol/L

- Direct bilirubin: 8.5 µmol/L

- ALT: 49 U/L

- AST: 33 U/L

- GGT: 19 U/L

- ALP: 70 IU/L

- Albumin: 47 g/L

- INR: 1.1

- Liver stiffness: 4.0 kPa

- IQR/median: 7%

- CAP: 225 dB/m

- Abdominal ultrasound: normal/good

The elastography and ultrasound are reassuring, but seeing detectable HBV DNA and an elevated ALT after all these years made me realise that I probably need to start taking this much more seriously.

I feel that now is the time to take proper care of my liver while things still look good, rather than waiting until damage develops.

For those of you living with chronic hepatitis B: would you discuss starting antiviral treatment such as tenofovir or entecavir with a hepatologist based on results like these?

And for those already taking antiviral medication: what has your experience been like? Have you had any side effects? How quickly did your HBV DNA become undetectable, and how has the treatment affected your everyday life?

I would really appreciate hearing from people who have been through something similar.

Hi guys, so long story short. I donated blood about 3 weeks ago in july and today at work this lady reaches out to me and is like some markers for HBV tested positive. I call American red cross and they send me the letter which includes tests and surface antigen, core antibody, confirmatory surface antigen and HBV discriminatory NAT all came positive. It hit me like a truck but in a way i'm grateful figuring it now. I just find it crazy because I am fully vaccinated too, maybe born with it but jus needed to get that out so thanks

Are you going to take treatment if you got hep b for long time but each blood test is ok what about yours?

My father has a chronic hepatisis B and his LFT levels are normal, but his viral load is in millions. Someone with the same experience of high viral load?