[Question #5954] Q #5951 follow-up - Hep A and E

71 months ago

Dear Dr Handsfield,

First of all just wanted to say thank you so much for all your previous responses, they were so very helpful. And I understand about your point of not asking repetitive questions.

However I neglected to ask about the risks of other bloodborne/infectious diseases such as other types of hepatitis - for instance Hepatitis A and E? I understand these are not primarily STDs however wanted to ask you given your expertise as an infectious disease specialist.

So my question is - would your previous answer to Q5951 hold for Hepatitis A and E (and any other type of Hepatitis)?

1. I.e. so am I correct in thinking the risk of transmission to children (my 5yrs+ old cousins) from my girlfriend (assuming she was infected) of Hep A or Hep E from a single 1-2 day visit to my cousins’ house would be in the same range risk, ie over 1 in 100,000? This again just involves normal contact between my girlfriend and my cousins (5yrs+ old in age) including playfighting etc.

2. I’m right that again any medical conditions (including DCD or Crohn’s disease) wouldn’t impact your answer to Q1 above?

Thank you Dr. I just need this final clarification, than you again for all your kind help.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

71 months ago

On this occasion I happened to pick up your question rather than Dr. Handfield. As a result, I will provide a brief response addressing your question and speculating about it's origins, then close the question as, despite your statement to the contrary, it is repetitive and non-informative. In preparing to reply, I reviewed your earlier interaction and agree with all that Dr. Handsfield said. In his last reply to you Dr.Handsfield’s assessment that your risk for other blood borne infections including HTLV and HHV 8 was also vanishingly low. For you to dredge up other forms of hepatitis (particularly hepatitis of the sort that is not blood born such as hepatitis A and Hepatitis E which are food borne and through fecal-oral contact) IS repetitive and a waste of time – the question was already answered. Thus:

1. Previously answered. Correct

2. Correct.

Please, not further anxiety-driven, repetitive questions. this thread will now be closed. EWH

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