Ads blamed for hepatitis phobia

JAKARTA (JP): Excessive advertising and a lack of adequate information have created baseless phobias about Hepatitis, often resulting in discriminatory treatment against those suffering from the disease, it was claimed yesterday.

"As a result of actions of vaccine importers in an overzealous advertising and marketing campaign after the Hepatitis B vaccine was discovered and initially distributed in Indonesia, Hepatitis B became a terror to the public," internist Dr. Nurul Akbar said in an address during his convocation as a professor at the University of Indonesia's Faculty of Medicine.

He said the prevailing fear about the disease's highly contagious qualities often resulted in a patient being shunned by their neighbors and even their friends and family.

Nurul said he had received complaints that some companies had even rejected potential employees because they had suffered from Hepatitis B.

"This would not happen if there was adequate information ... The Hepatitis B virus can be found in the blood without it endangering the carrier or others," he explained.

The Hepatitis B virus, which can lead to cirrhosis and cancer of the liver, is the most prevalent strain found in Indonesia.

It is estimated that up to 20 percent of the Indonesian population is affected by the eight varieties of Hepatitis.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Nurul said a lack of proper knowledge had created an unnecessary fear of the disease, including the contamination of offices.

"Don't make judgments at the workplace based on Hepatitis test results. Even abroad, the Hepatitis test is not included in a company's medical-check up (to evaluate new employees)," he said.

He explained that infection could only be spread through contaminated blood.

Last year Indonesia launched a nationwide Hepatitis B vaccination campaign. (01)