A new aide for mom had a liver transplant years ago and has chronic Hepatitis B Is mom in danger of Hep B?

A private duty aide has notified us that years ago she had contacted hepatitis B from her now ex-husband. She says there's no risk to mom and our family members of contacting hep B but what do your experts say?

Hepatitis B is spread through blood and unprotected sex- with a health care worker it can be spread through a needle stick. It does make a difference if she actually has chronic hepatitis or has simply had hepatitis B and was sucessfully treated. That's the first thing you need to find out from a doctor. If she had Hep B and was sucessfully treated- although she would have antibodies she would not be able to transmit the disease. On the other hand, if she has chronic Hep B, she could. If your mother has had the Hep B vaccinations, then she would be in no danger. If she hasn't, then it is a possibility. Your aide would need to be very careful not to have blood contact with your mother if she has chronic Hep B. If it were my mother, and the aide had chronic Hep B- I think I'd request another aide. While the chance of transmission is low, and rare- it's known to happen, and the elderly are suceptible to enough infections as it is.

It's spread thru blood to blood contact. Make sure that she wears gloves and disposes of needles properly. If your follow precautions then she should be fine. I think it's great that she let you know. I also have hep b and it's not a big deal to other people. Just don't share toothbrushes, razors and things like that.

believe it or not, your mother is more a risk to the aide than the aide is to her.

the aide knows all about how to not transmit the virus.
you would be surprised to find that many health care workers have hepatitis b or c.

the risk is basically null. no need to worry. i am sure the aide will take every precaution and take very good care of your mother.