The Department of Health on Thursday warned the public of the high prevalence of hepatitis B cases in the country with around 500 to 700 cases reported every year.

Dr. Eric Tayag, officer-in-charge (Director IV) of the DOH National Epidemiology Center, said early childhood infections are very common, making it more dangerous.

“Those who get hepatitis B at birth or at a young age have higher chances of getting chronic infection as compared to when you get it later,” Tayag said in a media information session at the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Building in Makati City.

Tayag said hepatitis is a condition in which the liver becomes inflamed and the cells degenerate and are destroyed. It is caused by at least six viruses which vary in terms of source and transmission, and hepatitis B is one of them.

Tayag said symptoms of hepatitis B infection may not be visible at first since it is concentrated on body fluids such as blood, wound exundates, and vaginal fluids. He said a blood sample is needed to test if a patient is positive for Hep B infection.

“You don’t get Hepa B by sharing utensils, kissing, or hugging. Rather, it is acquired through sexual intercourse, contaminated food and water, and blood transfusions," he said.

He said people could get infected even just by using dirty acupuncture needles. “Patients should remind dentists to wear gloves during dental procedures as they may get Hep B from an infected dentist. Needles in acupuncture should always be sterilized as people may get Hep B from fellow patients. Tools used in manicures and pedicures should always be sterilized,” he said.

Vaccination the way to go

Although chronic Hep B can be treated by Lamivudine, a nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor, Tayag said the drug is very expensive and can only give a 50 percent chance of recovery.

He said vaccination is the most effective way to prevent one's self from being infected. Vaccines are to be taken thrice a year for prevention, and four times for those who are highly at risk.

Tayag said there are nine kinds of people who are particularly at risk of contracting Hep B. They are:

- health care or public safety workers who might be exposed to blood or bloody fluids;
- household contact of someone who has long term chronic Hep B infection;
- sex partner of someone infected with Hep B;
- person diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD);
- person who is sexually active with multiple partners;
- men who have sex with other men;
- person who is HIV infected;
- drug users who use syringes;
- patient who is receiving long-term dialysis;
- person who works in a facility for developmentally disabled persons.

Tayag said it is necessary to complete the series of vaccine doses in order for the vaccine to take effect.

“Certain establishments and corporations are very restrictive of Hep B patients, so protect yourself and get vaccinated against it. It [vaccine] would be useless if you already have Hep B, so it may be too late for some. But still, it wouldn’t hurt if you try,” he said.

“The difference between lives is only a letter away. From liver to lives. Save your liver, save your lives, save other lives,” he added.