Checking for Hepatitis is vital

Dear Dr. Donya,

When is the plan for vaccination against Hepatitis B starting in Indonesia?

My next question is about my girlfriend, who is from Indonesia. She does not have any record of hepatitis B or other vaccinations. I'm concerned about hepatitis B and typhoid since these two illnesses are still present in Indonesia and I'd like to know:

1. If is are some way to know about that. If there isn't, we can make analysis in my country.

2. I didn't have a typhoid vaccination, if there is any danger in terms of getting this illness from her.

I ask these questions to know if we must vaccinate our future children.

-- Reader

Dear reader,

It is approximately 10 years.

1. Yes, doctors test for hepatitis. There are three standard blood tests for HBV.

a. HBsAG (hepatitis B surface antigen): When this test is positive or reactive, you are infected with HBV and can pass it on to others.

b. Anti-HBc (antibody to hepatitis B core antigen): When you test positive, it means you are currently infected with HBV or have been infected at some point in the past.

c. Anti-HBs (antibody to HbsAg): When this test is positive, it means that you are immune to hepatitis B either as a result of having had the disease or from having been given the vaccine.

Two things can happen to a person who is infected with hepatitis B virus:

1. Develop immunity: * Ninety five percent of adults infected develop antibodies and cover spontaneously within six months. Upon recovery they develop immunity to the virus, and they are not infectious to others. * Blood tests will test positive for HBV antibody. * Blood banks will not accept donations of blood.

2. Become chronically infected: If the virus has not been cleared from the body within six months, a person is considered a carrier or chronically infected.

* The chronically infected may show no signs or symptoms.

* The virus remains in blood and body fluids, and can infect others.

About typhoid. It is an acute, life-threatening febrile illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. The disease is characterized by fever, headaches, malaise, splenomegaly (spleen enlargement) and a relative bradycardia (slow heart rate). Many mild and atypical infections occur.

Risk is greatest for travelers to the Indian subcontinent and to other developing countries (in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America) who will have prolonged exposure to potentially contaminated food and drink. You should be cautioned that typhoid vaccination are not 100 percent effective and is not a substitute for careful selection of food and drink.

-- Dr. Donya