Can Hepatitis-B Be Contracted Through Contact With Infected Brush?

Posted on Sun, 23 Jul 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 22 Jul 2017 Answered on

Wed, 16 Aug 2017 Last reviewed on

Question :
Hi there wondering if you could help.... i suffer with ocd.. was wondering if you could help. I used my friends toothbrush and now have an obsessive thought that i have got hep b i didnt notice any visable blood on brush my gums sometimes bleed but not that i noticed

Im trying to stay calm as i know this sounds rediculus as i dont even think my friend would have hep b

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hep b exposure

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome

I appreciate your concern

Hepatitis B can be transmitted through body fluids like blood or saliva.

The only way to be sure is to know if your friend has the hep b infection or not. If he is negative for hep b and it was his toothbrush then you can relax.

You can get tested HBSAG and HBCAB to rule out a possible infection.

Rinse your mouth thoroughly with antiseptic mouthwash like povidone oral for the time being.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (2 hours later)

Hi doctor thanks for messgae but dosnt really help i wanted to no rate of transmition if no visable blood on the tooth brush

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

Hepatitis B is extremely contagious. It is 100 times more contagious and transmissible than HIV.

If indeed your friend has HBS then an exposure should be treated with hep b immunoglobulin and booster vaccine if you aren't vaccinated.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng