Hepatitis B 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 liver cancer (more than 200 times higher risk than normal person).

3-5% of Malaysian are Hepatitis B carriers. The incidence is even high in Chinese community. More than 1 million people world wide die from chronic Hepatitis B every year.

1. Through contact with infected food or blood products. Examples:-
   • Receiving transfusion of infected blood or blood products.
   • Cuts and grazes by sharing sharp instruments like razors, toothbrushes, shavers etc.
   • Acupuncture, tattoo, ear piercing with infected instrument.
   • Use of infected needles e.g. by drug addicts.
   • Haemodialysis
2. Through contact with semen and vaginal fluid of infected person.
3. From an infected mother to a newborn child. Nearly 90% of infected newborns become carriers, 20-25% of which usually die of complications caused by Hepatitis B during adulthood.

1. Most cases are mild and passed unnoticed. They will usually develop life long immunity towards Hepatitis B virus.
2. Some people develop acute Hepatitis B within 2 to 3 months after being infected. They may have symptoms including :-
   • Skin rash and join paint
   • Nausea or vomiting
   • Fever and chills
   • General tiredness and body aches
   • Pain in upper right side of abdomen
   • Jaundice
   • Dark urine and pale stool
   Most of the patients receive completely and develop life-long immunity. 1-2% may die from fulminant hepatitis and approximately 5-10% do not develop antibody and become chronic carriers.
3. Some infected people do not display any symptom and neither do they develop immunity. They become carriers and can pass the disease to others. About 15-25% of Hepatitis B carriers are at risk of developing severe liver diseases such as liver cancer and liver cirrhosis. Asian patients generally suffer complications upon reaching their thirties or forties due to early infection.

• Do not donate blood
• Do not share personal items that may breach the skin e.g. toothbrush, razor, nail clippers etc.
• Be extra careful when disposing of items that may contain or are contaminated with your blood.
• Make sure your sexual partner is immunised, otherwise, use a condom.
• Inform your doctors that your are a carrier, especially in cases of pregnancy or undergoing surgery.
• See your doctor regularly. Blood test should be done every 6 months to 1 year to monitor your liver conditions.

There is still no effective cure for Hepatitis B. However, it can be prevented by Hepatitis B vaccination.

Before vaccination, blood test should be carried out to determine your Hepatitis B status. A doctor should be consulted regarding the test results whether you are required to be vaccinated or already acquired the natural antibodies or a carrier. The later two do not require any vaccination.

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Further reading :
Hepatitis B Foundation
HepNet - The Hepatitis Information Network