Carriers of deadly virus fail to seek treatment

In startling findings revealed recently, more than half of 413 hepatitis B carriers identified through free tests in Hong Kong last year revealed that they knew of their status from previous blood donation drives or medical check-ups, but had not had any medical follow-ups.

Of these carriers, 27 per cent showed active levels of the virus, which makes them prone to cirrhosis, liver cancer and other complications. One in four chronic hepatitis B sufferers who do not receive prompt treatment will eventually die from complications, says Dr Nancy Leung Wai-yee, chairwoman of AsiaHep Hong Kong, a non-profit organisation that aims to raise awareness of the disease.

So, you'd think people would seek medical attention immediately upon knowing their condition. But perhaps it's because hepatitis B does not exhibit obvious symptoms that patients often shrug off the disease. 'By the time they seek medical help, the condition has become severe,' says Leung.

On World Hepatitis Day on July 28, doctors and patients called attention to what they termed a 'hidden epidemic'.

More than 20 per cent of Hongkongers are hepatitis B carriers, according to the free tests conducted by AsiaHep on 1,942 people last year. This is more than double the reported incidence rate of 10 per cent.

The virus is spread through contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person - such as from an infected mother to her baby at or after birth or through unprotected sex with a carrier.