UCSD Tries To Raise Awareness About Hepatitis B
Monday, November 8, 2010
SAN DIEGO A campaign designed to raise awareness about hepatitis B hits the campus of UCSD today. The liver disease disproportionately affects Asians.
About one in ten Asian-Americans has hepatitis B. The virus is spread through contact with blood or other body fluids of someone who's infected.
Most people who have hepatitis B don't have any symptoms. But the infection can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Dr. Binh Tran directs the Asian Pacific Health Foundation. She said there is no cure for hepatitis B.
"We do have medications to treat hepatitis B," Tran said. "All we need to do is to detect them at an early stage."
There is a vaccine to prevent the disease. It's usually given in infancy.
Hepatitis B is widespread in China and Southeast Asia.
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