UCSD Tries To Raise Awareness About Hepatitis B

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http://www.kpbs.org/news/2010/nov/08/ucsd-tries-raise-awareness-about-hepatitis-\

b/

UCSD Tries To Raise Awareness About Hepatitis B.

By Kenny Goldberg

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.