Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Question
Published: September 9, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am a 15-year-old male. I have a neighbor who's a girl and if I remember correctly, she is either 15 or 16. Her and I both have a crush on each other. I think she's just as shy as I am to ask her out or to even just tell her about my feelings for her. Her parents were serious drug addicts before she was born. Supposedly she was born with some form of Hepatitis. I've heard a lot of different things about this disease. I don't know what to believe. This girl and I would love to be involved with each other in a relationship without a doubt. We'd also like to makeout and try oral sex, anal sex, and normal intercourse. We will definitely practice safe sex if this stuff were to happen, but are there any consequences to making out and/or having any form of sex with somebody diagnosed with a form of Hepatitis? I really need to know because I am sexually active and I am a virgin. This girl is as well. We just can't wait any longer. If there are any consequences, what are they? I can trust this girl and she is a good friend of mine. I'm also wondering if she were to give me head and I didn't wear a condom and if her spit were to get all over my penis (possibly down in the hole), could I get Hepatitis? I'm just concerned because I don't want to put my life, future, and health in grave danger. I've heard different stories. I've heard that you can get Hepatitis from engaging in sexual activities with someone diagnosed with it. I also heard that you only could get it through blood contact with someone who has it - for example, with AIDS. I heard about Pamela Anderson getting a form of Hepatitis from her ex-husband Tommy Lee. She supposedly got it from sharing a tattoo needle with him, which had his blood on it, and he supposedly had the disease. What I get from that is you only can get Hepatitis from someone who has it through blood contact, but I am just asking you so I don't end up regretting this. Thanks a lot for your time. P.S. - Please try to respond A.S.A.P. I can't wait much longer.
Signed: Hepatitis and Sex
Dear Hepatitis and Sex,
TeenHealthFX congratulates you for thinking about the consequences of sexual intimacy before having sex and also planning on having safer sex. Hopefully you have discussed your concerns with your friend. We recommend that you both visit a teen health clinic or Planned before you have sex. If you live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health for an appointment at 973.971.6475. The above places can see you both on a no/low cost basis confidentially (without your parent's permission). They can give you accurate information on how to protect yourself from STDs and pregnancy.
Becoming sexually active requires that both partners feel comfortable. Talk to your friend and let her know exactly how you are feeling. Make sure that she is ready to become sexually active. She may or may not share your ideas about what she would like to do with you. If you are questioning your decision, it may be best to think seriously about what becoming sexually active will mean.
Regarding hepatitis: many different kinds of hepatitis have similar symptoms, but are contracted in different ways; several can be transmitted through sexual contact. There are five kinds of hepatitis:
Hepatitis A- is most commonly contracted orally through foods contaminated with fecal matter. Improper handling of food, sharing toys at daycare centers and eating raw shellfish from polluted water often spreads this least dangerous form of the virus.
Hepatitis B- can be transmitted from mother to child, through sexual contact, blood transfusions and needle sharing by intravenous drug users. Although most individuals completely recover from this form, some individuals can develop chronic hepatitis, which can lead to death from liver cancer or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver that prevents function.)
Hepatitis C- is often spread through blood or contaminated needles and presents mild symptoms.
Hepatitis D- only occurs in individuals who have hepatitis B and increases the severity of the disease. This form can be passed from mother to child and sexual contact.
Hepatitis E- this form of the virus is found mainly in Asia, Mexico, India and Africa and is spread through fecal contamination.
All of the above present with the symptoms of loss of appetite, fatigue, mild fever, muscle or joint aches, nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain. These symptoms often mimic the flu and it is important to be tested if you suspect you may have encountered any form hepatitis. Treatment usually entails rest and a change in diet and in some cases antiviral drugs.
As you can see there are many forms of the hepatitis virus, some of which can be life threatening. It is important that you speak to your partner. From your question, it sounds like you don't know if she has hepatitis and the only way to know is to ask. Knowing your partner's sexual and medical history is the first step in protecting yourself against STDs.
In every situation, you need to practice safer sex. Vaginal intercourse, oral and anal sex can easily spread hepatitis or any STD without proper protection. You may want to check out Is Anal Sex Safe and Clueless on Oral Sex for more information.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Persons aged 15-24, who represent only 14% of the 
