Does the husband being "big three positive" (positive for HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBV DNA) affect the fetus if the wife is pregnant?

Aug 27, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Aiming
Introduction
Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus, which can be transmitted to others through blood, sexual contact, mother-to-child transmission, and other routes. "Big three positive" (commonly known as "big three yang") refers to a specific pattern of hepatitis B markers. If the husband has the "big three positive" status and the wife becomes pregnant after he develops the infection, it may affect the fetus; otherwise, there is no impact. After pregnancy, the wife should undergo monitoring and treatment for hepatitis B virus under the guidance of a physician.

  "Big three positives" refers to hepatitis B big three positives. If the husband has hepatitis B big three positives and the wife becomes pregnant after the husband is infected, it may affect the fetus; otherwise, there is generally no impact. The detailed analysis is as follows:

  1. Potential impact: Hepatitis B is a contagious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus, which can be transmitted through blood, sexual contact, mother-to-child transmission, and other routes. There is a certain risk of transmission between a husband with hepatitis B big three positives and his pregnant wife. If the husband has already been infected and engages in sexual intercourse with his wife, the wife may also become infected. The hepatitis B virus can pass through the placenta to the fetus or be transmitted during childbirth through exposure to infected blood or bodily fluids. Therefore, there may be an impact on the fetus.

  2. No impact: If the wife becomes pregnant before the husband develops the disease, the husband does not carry the virus at that time and therefore cannot transmit it to the wife. In this case, the pregnancy generally will not affect the fetus. However, preventive measures should still be taken to avoid transmission after pregnancy. The wife should avoid contact with the blood and body fluids of individuals carrying the hepatitis B virus, including refraining from sharing needles and avoiding unprotected sexual activity.

  Additionally, after pregnancy, the wife should undergo monitoring and, if necessary, treatment for hepatitis B virus under the guidance of a physician to control viral load and reduce the risk of transmission.