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       Health: Protect against Hepatitis B - Get vaccinated

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  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).

  The problem with Hepatitis B
  However, 1 out of 10 people who get the disease do not recover completely. They may:
  - get chronic hepatitis and continue to suffer the symptoms, and may die of liver failure after some years
  - become carriers who may feel well but still carry the virus in their body, and can therefore pass the virus to others.
  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.
  Hepatitis B screening & vaccination
  A simple blood test can tell you if you have the disease, immunity against the disease or whether you are a carrier.

If you have no immunity, get vaccinated!

  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.
  Hepatitis B vaccination can protect against liver cancer
  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.
  Reduce your risk of getting Hepatitis B
  To reduce your risk of getting hepatitis B:
  - 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
  - Go to reliable operators for acupuncture, body-piercing, ear piercing or tattooing. Make sure that the operator uses disposable instruments or sterilises them
  - Do not abuse drugs. Do not share injection needles
  - Do not share personal items, like toothbrushes, razors or any other instruments that may break the skin.
  If you are a Hepatitis B carrier
  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:
  - avoid smoking, alcohol and long-term medicines, especially oral contraceptive pills for females
  - go for regular medical check-ups to detect early signs of liver inflammation, cirrhosis or cancer
  - 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.
  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.

Hepatitis A is different from Hepatitis B

  Unlike the hepatitis B virus, the hepatitis A virus is found in faeces. It is spread mainly by:

  - eating raw or partially-cooked shellfish, as they breed in areas where human waste flows into the sea
  - taking food and drinks and using utensils contaminated with faeces
  - direct contact with an infected person's faeces
  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.
  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.
  However, some may suffer from hepatitis A again. A very small percentage may develop and die of fulminant hepatitis (severe destruction of the liver).
  Reduce your risk of getting Hepatitis A
  To reduce your risk of getting hepatitis A:
  - Always wash your hands with soap and water before going to the toilet and before preparing or eating food
  - Avoid eating unhygienic food or from dirty utensils
  - East shellfish only if they are fully cooked
  - When travelling:
     - only drink boiled or bottled water
     - only eat food that is cooked and served hot
     - avoid dirty restaurants, ice-cream, ice-cubes and cut fruits

  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.

  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.

Courtesy of Health Educator, National Health Education Department, Singapore

 

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