Hepatitis B
has a long incubation period of 2-6 months. An infected person
may not realise it and spread the disease to many others, who
may in turn spread it to even more people. Most people recover
completely from hepatitis B infections in 3-4 weeks and become
immune (will not get the disease again).
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The problem with Hepatitis
B
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However, 1 out of 10
people who get the disease do not recover completely.
They may:
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- get chronic hepatitis and
continue to suffer the symptoms, and may die of liver failure
after some years
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- become carriers who may
feel well but still carry the virus in their body, and can
therefore pass the virus to others.
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Carriers have a much higher
risk of getting liver cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.
About 4% of people in Singapore are hepatitis B carriers.
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Hepatitis B screening
& vaccination
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A simple blood test can tell
you if you have the disease, immunity against the disease or
whether you are a carrier.
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If you have no
immunity, get vaccinated!
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Most people in Singapore are
not immune to hepatitis B. Only 2 in 5 people have immunity, and
among those under 30 years, 3 out of 4 are not protected against
hepatitis B! So everyone, especially women, should be
tested, and if not immune, vaccinated against hepatitis B.
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Hepatitis B vaccination
can protect against liver cancer
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Hepatitis B vaccination
consists of three injections - the 2nd and 3rd injections one
month and six months respectively after the first. You must
complete all 3 doses in order to be effectively immune against
hepatitis B.
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Reduce your risk of
getting Hepatitis B
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To reduce your risk of
getting hepatitis B:
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- Keep to one sexual partner.
Avoid sexual contact with prostitutes, strangers or anyone who
has many sexual partners. Condoms can offer protection if used
properly, but the do not offer 100% protection
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- Go to reliable operators
for acupuncture, body-piercing, ear piercing or tattooing. Make
sure that the operator uses disposable instruments or sterilises
them
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- Do not abuse drugs. Do not
share injection needles
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- Do not share personal
items, like toothbrushes, razors or any other instruments that
may break the skin.
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If you are a Hepatitis B
carrier
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Hepatitis B carriers may look
and feel well, but they carry the virus in their bodies
throughout life. Hepatitis B carriers are at a higher risk of
developing liver cancer and should take the following
precautions:
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- avoid smoking, alcohol and
long-term medicines, especially oral contraceptive pills for
females
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- go for regular medical
check-ups to detect early signs of liver inflammation, cirrhosis
or cancer
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- see your doctor at once if
you always feel tired, lose weight, notice a change in your
bowel habits or experience pain in the upper right side of your
abdomen.
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Family members of those who
have hepatitis B or who are carriers should be vaccinated.
Carriers are also not allowed to donate blood or any body
organs.
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Hepatitis A is
different from Hepatitis B
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Unlike the
hepatitis B virus, the hepatitis A virus is found in faeces. It
is spread mainly by:
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- eating raw or
partially-cooked shellfish, as they breed in areas where human
waste flows into the sea
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- taking food and drinks and
using utensils contaminated with faeces
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- direct contact with an
infected person's faeces
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The incubation of hepatitis A
is 2-6 weeks before the disease appears. Although the infected
person feels well during this incubation period, he is
infectious to others.
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The body produces antibodies
to fight against the virus and full recovery is usually expected
within 3-4 weeks. For most people, the antibodies produced
usually provide protection for life.
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However, some may suffer from
hepatitis A again. A very small percentage may develop and die
of fulminant hepatitis (severe destruction of the liver).
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Reduce your risk of
getting Hepatitis A
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To reduce your risk of
getting hepatitis A:
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- Always wash your hands with
soap and water before going to the toilet and before preparing
or eating food
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- Avoid eating unhygienic
food or from dirty utensils
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- East shellfish only if they
are fully cooked
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- When travelling:
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- only
drink boiled or bottled water
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- only eat
food that is cooked and served hot
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- avoid
dirty restaurants, ice-cream, ice-cubes and cut fruits
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For more
protection, hepatitis A vaccination is available from your
family doctor and the Traveller's Health and Vaccination Clinic
at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
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Two doses of the vaccine
taken six months apart will provide protection for many years.
An immunoglobulin injection is also available to provide
short-term protection (4-6 weeks), starting 2 weeks after the
injection. This is useful for those who do not have time for the
full vaccination, and are travelling to tropical countries where
hepatitis A is common.
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Courtesy of
Health Educator, National Health Education Department, Singapore
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