Hello Charlie:
I believe the reason they feel that being a hep B carrier may contribute to a possible complication during chemo is because chemos lower the immune system. If your husband is a hep B carrier, then it likely means that his immune system is preventing the hep B from flaring up in his body or going out of control. But once chemo is administered, it will wipe out his immune system, and his hep B can flare up to cause trouble because there is no immune system keeping it in check. In that case they will likely have to administer anti-virals and immunoglobulins to help deal with that if the problem arises until his new marrow kicks and his immune system comes back online to fight it off.
I'm assuming he's a hep B virus carrier, and not just showing antibodies to having hep B before, right? I have not heard of a hep B "gene."
Being a hep B virus carrier is different from just having Hep B antibodies.
Hope this helps,
Marla
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