Info campaigns fail to curb hepatitis B<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Despite information campaigns against the
\nhepatitis B virus by various organizations, many people are
\nunaware about this fatal disease. Uninformed poor people remain
\nin an unhealthy lifestyle and environment, allowing the virus to
\nspread.<\/p>\n
This was the latest news announced by Dr. Unggul Budihusodo,
\nan internist with the Omni Medical Center Hospital at a recent
\nseminar held by British-based pharmaceutical company
\nGlaxoSmithKline.<\/p>\n
The hepatitis B virus is present in body fluids, such as
\nsemen, saliva and blood. Like other fatal diseases, such as
\nHIV\/AIDS, it can spread to other people through shared personal
\nitems like syringes, razor blades and toothbrushes, practicing
\nunprotected sex or blood transfusions.<\/p>\n
\"But unlike intensive campaigns against HIV, the information
\ncampaigns against this virus have been a failure,\" said Unggul,
\nwho also works with Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
Data from the World Health Organization shows that there are
\n350 million people worldwide with hepatitis B. With a prevalence
\nof 3 percent to 34 percent, Indonesia has currently some 10
\nmillion sufferers. In comparison, Indonesia has an estimated one
\nmillion cases of HIV\/AIDS.<\/p>\n
Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver, which is triggered
\nby the hepatitis A, B and C viruses. Unlike the other types,
\nhepatitis B does not show any immediate symptoms. Later, however,
\nthe patient will suffer flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue,
\nweakness, headaches, jaundice, muscular pain and pain in the
\nupper right part of the stomach area.<\/p>\n
The alarming number of drug abuse cases, Unggul said, had
\ncontributed a significant increase in the number of young
\nsufferers, due to the practice of sharing needles.<\/p>\n
\"Our research (at the University of Indonesia\/RSCM) shows that
\n85 percent of these people (drug users) are infected with
\nhepatitis C, while 15 percent contracted hepatitis B and about 15
\npercent to 20 percent of them are infected with HIV\/AIDS,\" he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that a combination of hepatitis B, C and the
\nHIV viruses would speed up the formation of cirrhosis, or
\nhardening of the liver, a condition found only in chronic
\nhepatitis disease sufferers.<\/p>\n
One way of treating the disease is with Interferon injections
\nor an oral medication called Lamivudin, but Unggul also
\nunderlined the importance of preventive measures.<\/p>\n
\"Hepatitis B vaccinations at hospitals help develop antibodies
\nin a person to protect them against the virus,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Another speaker at the seminar, Udin Gunawan, the group
\nproduct manager at GlaxoSmithKline, stressed the importance of
\nhaving vaccinations since childhood.<\/p>\n
\"Ninety percent of the children with hepatitis B will enter
\nadulthood with chronic hepatitis,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Gunawan added that Interferon injections work by stimulating
\nthe body's immune system, while the company's oral drug
\nLamivudin, which used to be a part of the treatment for AIDS,
\nworks by hampering the hepatitis B virus from multiplying.<\/p>\n
Unggul also said traditional herbal medicine containing
\ntemulawak (wild ginger) may help strengthen the organ but would
\nnot kill the virus.<\/p>\n
Temulawak has long been known to have properties that are
\ncapable of soothing liver problems.<\/p>\n
He explained that when taken in moderation, the herbal
\nmedicine posed no side effects.<\/p>\n
\"You can drink a glass of temulawak every day to strengthen
\nyour liver. Some people also say the drink improves their
\nappetite and makes them feel better,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Temulawak also comes in tablets. (lup)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/info-campaigns-fail-to-curb-hepatitis-b-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }