Thalassemia Minor and Hepatitis B

Hi all,

I am both a Thalassemia Minor and Hepatitis B carrier. Would like to find out if there is any extra precautions that i should take??

Also, I would like to find out if a Thalassemia Minor can go for sports like recreational diving??

Thank you so much,
Zhou

Hello Joe and welcome to the site

Being a thal minor, you have to make sure of doing two important things. First, when you are planing for having a baby, make sure that your partner is not a thal carrier in order to avoid having a thal major child (25% chance )

Second, being on supplements will add to your health. Folic acid, B complex, vitamin E are very good for thal from minor to major. Don't take any iron unless you are proven to have iron deficeny.

As for the hepatitis B, in addition to your treatment, there are natural thingslike nigella (black seeds) and milk thistle that keep the liver in a good condition

As for sports, i find no reason for not going through any sport as long as you can do it. One of our members here (Kyme) is diving

hope this helps. please don't hesitate to ask whatever you want

manal

Thank you~~

Tennis great Pete Sampras and football legend Zinedane Zidane are bot thal minors, so yes, minors can participate in sports.

Hi all,

I am a Hep B carrier.  My potential boyfriend is a Thalassemia Minor.  I would appreciate advice if the Thal Minor's health will be at risk if he marries or have sex with a Hep B carrier.

Thank you!

Hi,

The thalassemia minor isn't relevant to hepatitis, unless he has a weak immune system, which might make it easier to contract. However, since Hep B is highly contagious, the solution is for him to have the Hep B vaccine, which is highly effective in preventing the disease. You can read more about Hepatitis B and the vaccine at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs204/en/

The complete vaccine series induces protective antibody levels in more than 95% of infants, children and young adults. After age 40, protection following the primary vaccination series drops below 90%. At 60 years old, protective antibody levels are achieved in only 65 to 75% of those vaccinated. Protection lasts at least 20 years and should be lifelong.

Thank you, Andy.