Hepatitis B in Thailand (The BKK Post)
Deckard
by Apiradee Treerutkuarkul
Lack of awareness of early screening is putting Thais at greater risk
of infection from the hepatitis B virus which could lead to liver
cancer, say medical experts. An estimated three million Thais are
thought to be carrying the virus today. However only 15% are
undergoing proper treatment, Teerha Piratvisuth, deputy director of
the Prince of Songkla Hospital's Gastrointestinal and Liver Institute,
said.
"Hepatitis B is a major health threat for the country as millions of
people have the disease. But most of the patients only learn about it
when it's already too late," he said during the Hong Kong-Shanghai
International Liver Congress 2008 held in Hong Kong recently. Studies
have shown that liver cancer cases in Thailand had evidence of
previous chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
Cancer is the major cause of death among the Thai population with
62,000 deaths reported in 2006 alone. Most of its victims in Thailand
are males, according to the Public Health Ministry.
Chronic hepatitis B is mostly prevalent in the Asia-Pacific region
where 75% of the world's 350 million carriers reside. The virus can
cause chronic infection in the liver. It generally shows only mild or
non-specific symptoms during the early stages, but ultimately leads to
serious liver diseases and early death in up to 25% of the
individuals.
Dr Teerha said chronically infected persons are at high risk of death
from cirrhosis and liver cancer. Treatment costs are also quite high,
about half a million baht per year per person. There is no cure for
the disease. So the primary goal is to suppress and keep the virus
load at a low level.
www.bangkokpost.com/290608_News/29Jun2008_news12.php
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Hepatitis B is more prevalent in Asia than in the West. Although the
virus is transmitted by blood and sexual intercourse, many Asians are
already infected at birth.
The journalist of The BKK Post forgot to say there is an effective
vaccine for people at risk.
Regards,
Mort