|
Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by Hepatitis B virus. It
is the most serious among all types of viral hepatitis. The possibility of
severe complications such as massive damage to liver cells and its strong
association with lever cancer is high. About 3-5% of Malaysians are
Hepatitis B carriers. The incidence is even higher in the Chinese community.
More than one million people worldwide die from chronic Hepatitis B every
year. Hepatitis B virus is transmitted through contact with infected blood
or blood products. For example, those receiving transfusion of infected
blood or blood products and having cuts and grazes by sharing sharp
instruments like razors, toothbrushes, shavers, etc., are vulnerable. Those
who have had acupuncture, tattoo, ear piercing with infected instruments are
also not spared. Above all, those especially drug addicts who use infected
needles are most prone to contracting Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B virus is also transmitted through contact with semen and
vaginal fluid of infected persons, or from an infected mother to a newborn
child. Nearly 90% of infected newborns become carriers, 20-25% of whom
usually die of complications caused by Hepatitis B during adulthood. Contact
with other body fluids like sweat, tears and breast milk has not been
conclusively proven to be infectious. |
|
Points to include:
* an inflammation of the liver
* most serious type -- severe
complications of liver
* more than one million worldwide
die
* caused by Hepatitis B virus
* 3-5% of Malaysians are carriers
* transmitted through contact
with affected person, infected blood or blood products
|
|
Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by
Hepatitis B virus. Being the most serious type of viral hepatitis, it causes
severe complications to the liver. 3-5% of Malaysians are Hepatitis B
carriers and more than one million people world wide die from chronic
Hepatitis B annually. It is transmitted though contact with infected blood
or blood products. Those receiving blood transfusion or sharing sharp
instruments are likely victims. Hepatitis B is also transmitted through
sexual contact with an infected partner of from an infected mother to a
child. In the latter, nearly 90% of newborns become carriers. ( 98 words ) |
