Hep vaccination

[Paws]

Need to bring up that topic again.

Met a guy recently, and even if we just talked together, afterwards it brought up my thoughts about Hepatitis.

I'm still not vaccinated against it and want to bother my GP about it

Now I've read it's not just one, but three injections over a longer period? Is that true?

 

[Kayjay3298]

First, you need to be specific about the Hepatitis that you want to be vaccinated against. Most likely you are referring to Hep B; spread by sexual contact, transfer of infected blood or body fluids via breaks in mucosal linings... The Hep B series of vaccinations does involve 3; the 1st one, another at 3 months (after the 1st one) and another at 6 months after... You can also be vaccinated against Hep A (spread by fecal-oral transmission), the Hep A vaccine involves TWO vaccinations 6-18 mos apart, depending on the vaccine's manufacturer's recommendation. There is a combinations vaccine available that would involve a total of FOUR shots... MY ADVICE...at least do your Hep B b/c its the ONLY VACCINE AVAILABLE that can potentially CUT YOUR RISK of developing a cancer...."hepatocellular carcinoma"!

 

[3nipples]

I had the combined A+B vaccination several years ago and I remember 3 injections: the first 2 were about a month apart and the 3d was several months after the 2nd.... but what's the difference how many? Go and get started.

 

[Paws]

Ah... now I understand a bit better why my GP didn't want me to do it when I was going for other vaccinations and asked him for that one too.

Haven't told him yet that I'm gay and when he asked me if I had new (female) partners everyday, I denied. Still, there wouldn't have been anything wrong with just vaccinating me, cause even if I just have one partner for the first time I could get Hep.

 

[Corny]

If you don't want to admit to your doctor that you are gay (although there is no reason for that), you can tell him that you work voluntarily (otherwise your employer would pay for the vacc) in the health field and want to be on the safe side.

 

[KaraBulut]

You should get the immunization for both A and B. All gay men should.

There is no immunizaiton for C yet. Hep C is of concern for healthcare workers and IV drug users.

 

[thewiz]

Totally agree on the Hep vaccine. If there is a gay men's clinic in your city, check with them; many provide the vaccine free of charge.

Whichever way you do it, it's one more thing you won't have to worry about!

 

[saymyname]

My school gave me one free of charge, if you say you're gay it's totally free. Hooray Canada!

And yeah, it's 3 shots now. Geez, the first one had to be a year ago, then a few months after that is the 2nd one, and the third one is a ways off.

 

[Paws]

Told my GP that I'm ho-mo-seks-u-al and got the first shot for Hep B done

Next one is in one, last one in six month.

 

[pocono]

My Dr. gave me the Hep B shot series because as I go camping in areas with poor water supplies. Never even thought of it as a STD prevention.

 

[Paws]

Camping? Shouldn't you have gone with Hep A for this?

 

[pocono]

Camping? Shouldn't you have gone with Hep A for this?

I don't actually know.

My Dr. asked if I wanted it and I said yes.

BTW it cost almost $200 for all 3 shots!

 

[KaraBulut]

Ever seen the bill for a bout of hepatitis?

$200 looks like a bargain in comparison.