Hepatitis B, a common and dangerous liver infection, is a silent threat that can strain family relationships, often due to misconceptions about its transmission. Many couples experience confusion and suspicion when one partner tests positive, mistakenly believing it is primarily sexually transmitted.

Dr. Nguyen Duc Ba Dat, Medical Manager at VNVC Vaccination System (VNVC), explains that hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is one of the leading infectious diseases in Vietnam, with an estimated 7.6 million people infected. However, only over 1.6 million are diagnosed, and approximately 45,000 are currently receiving treatment.

According to Dr. Dat, many couples face crises when a partner is diagnosed. The assumption that hepatitis B is mainly sexually transmitted often leads to suspicion and a breakdown of trust when one partner tests positive. This misunderstanding can severely damage family relationships.

In reality, hepatitis B can be transmitted through various routes. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood, semen, and vaginal fluid. Transmission can occur via unscreened blood transfusions, sharing needles, occupational needle stick injuries, and sharing personal items that may contain blood, like razors and toothbrushes. Additionally, hepatitis B can be transmitted from mother to child during childbirth. Many individuals contract the infection very early in life without knowing it until years later during a health check-up.

Hepatitis B often progresses silently. In its early stage, patients may experience mild fatigue, loss of appetite, transient jaundice, or no symptoms at all, making the disease easy to overlook. If the virus persists for over six months, the infection becomes chronic and can last a lifetime. Without proper monitoring and treatment, chronic hepatitis B can lead to acute liver failure, cirrhosis, and is a leading cause of liver cancer.

Currently, there is no cure for hepatitis B. Patients need to take antiviral medication, attend regular follow-ups, and should not discontinue treatment arbitrarily, as this can lead to uncontrolled disease progression.

Uyen shared that she and her husband married recently, and both had pre-marital health screenings which showed no signs of the disease. Last week, she received her husband's test results, which indicated he had hepatitis B, while her own results were negative. Uyen was stunned.

"The question kept repeating in my head: where did he get infected, why infected?", Uyen said.

Suspicion quickly turned into psychological pressure. Uyen began to suspect her husband might be having extramarital affairs, keeping secrets from her. Normal conversations gradually escalated into arguments, then heated disputes. Uyen feared contagion and felt resentful at the thought of betrayal.

After a doctor explained that the disease could be transmitted through other means, such as shared razors or toothbrushes, Uyen understood. She decided to get vaccinated to protect herself and work with her husband to rebuild trust.

Couples should communicate openly, understand hepatitis B and its prevention methods to protect each other's health. Illustration: Vecteezy

Couples should communicate openly, understand hepatitis B and its prevention methods to protect each other's health. Illustration: Vecteezy

Trang, 40 years old, from Lam Dong, vividly remembers the dismay she felt when she received her family's routine health screening results. Before marriage, both she and her husband had proactively undergone hepatitis B tests, with both receiving negative results. Therefore, upon learning that her husband was infected with hepatitis B while she remained negative, the family became vigilant, hesitant to be intimate with her husband.

Trang encouraged her husband to adhere to his doctor's monitoring and treatment plan. She also ensured that she and their two children received hepatitis B vaccinations, bringing the family more peace of mind for their long-term cohabitation.

Young people receiving the hepatitis AB vaccine at VNVC District 1, TP HCM. Photo: Binh An

Young people receiving the hepatitis AB vaccine at VNVC District 1, TP HCM. Photo: Binh An

Dr. Ba Dat advises that individuals living with someone infected with hepatitis B should not be overly concerned, as the disease does not spread through daily activities like sharing food, hugging, or using the same utensils. The primary risks of transmission are associated with blood and unprotected sexual contact.

For couples, if the uninfected partner is fully vaccinated against hepatitis B, the risk of contracting the disease is reduced by approximately 95%. If the infected partner is receiving effective treatment and has a low or undetectable viral load, the couple can maintain normal sexual activity under the guidance of a specialist doctor. In addition to vaccination, individuals living with an infected person should undergo regular antibody tests and avoid sharing personal items that might be contaminated with blood, such as razors and toothbrushes, to proactively protect their long-term health.

Vaccination against hepatitis B is one of the most effective ways to prevent the disease. Vietnam currently offers both single hepatitis B vaccines and combination vaccines that also protect against hepatitis A for adults. Adults typically receive three doses over six months, undergo hepatitis B testing before vaccination, and get booster shots when antibody levels decline. Children need to be vaccinated against hepatitis B within 24 h of birth, followed by subsequent doses according to the vaccination schedule for vaccines containing hepatitis B components, such as 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 vaccines.

Nguyen Binh