Hep B

[kimpossible]

Just a friendly reminder to put the idea in your head to get Hep B immunizations if you don't have them. It's simple, not too expensive and worth it. I'm not an expert but I do live with it. I can answer simple questions.

Or visit The Jade Ribbon Campaign/Asian Liver Center (http://liver.stanford.edu/)

[deez nuts]

Good post, Hapa.

From my experience it seems that Asian-Americans are lacking when it comes to updating their immunization history. Heck, I be guilty of it too, if the hospital didin't require us to be up to date on our immunizations.



<!--EDIT|Chasiubao_Boy|Aug 19 2002, 10:36 PM-->

[SunWuKong]

since this is a blood related disease, how do you feel about how some asians (usually older generations?) think it's taboo or whatever to talk about it?

[Saiko]

I remember my last Hep B immunization. The nurse was freaking brutal. Jabbed the needle into my arm, jerked it around to make sure it was in the muscle, and it took forever to inject. I was just like "GAH, make me suffer why don'tcha?!!?!?!" :angry:

[kimpossible]

I feel like I don't want myself or anyone I love to friggin die. That outweighs embarrassment for me.

Plus, it's not just a blood transmission. Semen has a high concentration which makes Hep B classifyable as an STD also. My husband is a chronic carrier and despite that I'm married, many doctors assume that I was the town whore when I asked to be regularly tested. Though it can be transmitted sexually, many people are infected at birth through their mothers. Many born with it end up being chronic carriers. They have a certain window of time to build antibodies to their own Hep.

I was lucky that my husband informed me he was a carrier. If I remember my stats correctly, Hep B is 200 times more infectious than HIV. I got my shots all the way through, tested myself for Hep B regularly and tested for antibodies. Not everyone who gets the series of immunizations will develop antibodies but I believe you can always try again.

I'd shout it from the rooftops if it would inspire someone to get immunized. Even if Hep B doesn't hurt your liver too much at first, it greatly increases your chances of liver cancer. Cancer sucks.

[SunWuKong]

the reason i ask is because my aunt is actually diagnosed with Hep B and the doctors have told her that she has about 5 to 6 years left. it has actually been chinese medicine that has been improving her symptoms, but it definitely is not a cure or anything. the rest of the family knows, but she doesn't want people around her (friends, people in the community) to know about it because of the whole blood thing.

[deez nuts]

Originally posted by Hello_Hapa@Aug 19 2002, 11:40 PM
I feel like I don't want myself or anyone I love to friggin die. That outweighs embarrassment for me.

Plus, it's not just a blood transmission. Semen has a high concentration which makes Hep B classifyable as an STD also. My husband is a chronic carrier and despite that I'm married, many doctors assume that I was the town whore when I asked to be regularly tested. Though it can be transmitted sexually, many people are infected at birth through their mothers. Many born with it end up being chronic carriers. They have a certain window of time to build antibodies to their own Hep.

I was lucky that my husband informed me he was a carrier. If I remember my stats correctly, Hep B is 200 times more infectious than HIV. I got my shots all the way through, tested myself for Hep B regularly and tested for antibodies. Not everyone who gets the series of immunizations will develop antibodies but I believe you can always try again.

I'd shout it from the rooftops if it would inspire someone to get immunized. Even if Hep B doesn't hurt your liver too much at first, it greatly increases your chances of liver cancer. Cancer sucks.
Yeah you're right Hapa. Sadly the hepatits virus has this stigma attached to it. It is highly communicable. You're right it can be transmitted via bodily fluids, but it can also be transmitted through simple means such as sharing the same razor and drinking from the same cup.

All strains of the hepatitis virus (A-E) attacks the liver. The virus attacks the liver and initially causes liver infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and liver cancer. If untreated, death.

You're also correct that just because you are immunized doesn't mean you developed the anitbodies for it. You have to be tested at least once every 6 months to see if you have developed the antibodies.

Prophylactic treatment is best for those that are in contact with Hep carriers. You're husband is a very responsible in telling you that he is carrier. Kudos to the fact, that he is wary enough to even know he is a carrier.


And MK. That's the problem with the older generation of Asians. They view some diseases and illnesses as shameful and rather have it go untreated. Hence the HIV epidemic in China, right now. And even the sudden increase in breast cancer cases in Asian American women, here in the U.S. I remember I diagnosed an elderly Japanese woman with a metastatic tumor in the breast after the biopsy results came back. And she was in disbelief and said asian women don't get breast cancer.

Edit: Did I actually say kudos?!?!?! I meant props, yeah that's it. B)



<!--EDIT|Chasiubao_Boy|Aug 20 2002, 02:07 AM-->

[kimpossible]

Originally posted by SunWuKung@Aug 19 2002, 03:50 PM
the reason i ask is because my aunt is actually diagnosed with Hep B and the doctors have told her that she has about 5 to 6 years left. it has actually been chinese medicine that has been improving her symptoms, but it definitely is not a cure or anything. the rest of the family knows, but she doesn't want people around her (friends, people in the community) to know about it because of the whole blood thing.
Sorry to hear about your aunt. In particular, I don't understand the stigma about blood diseases with older folks. It's not something I've encountered before, but disease and weakness is a different story. My MIL is terminal with breast cancer that metastasized into her neck. If it wasn't for the chemo royally kicking her ass I know that she wouldn't want anyone to know either. It depresses her when people treat her like a hopeless case.

Then again, maybe I don't understand the whole blood thing. Hope it didn't seem like I was yelling at you Monkey. After all, you are my saviour (with a lower case 's') and Holder of the Sacred Key. :)

[deez nuts]

Sorry to hear about your aunt, monkeyking and your mom-in-law, hapa.

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by Hello_Hapa@Aug 19 2002, 09:28 PM
Originally posted by SunWuKung@Aug 19 2002, 03:50 PM
the reason i ask is because my aunt is actually diagnosed with Hep B and the doctors have told her that she has about 5 to 6 years left. &nbsp;it has actually been chinese medicine that has been improving her symptoms, but it definitely is not a cure or anything. &nbsp;the rest of the family knows, but she doesn't want people around her (friends, people in the community) to know about it because of the whole blood thing.
Sorry to hear about your aunt. In particular, I don't understand the stigma about blood diseases with older folks. It's not something I've encountered before, but disease and weakness is a different story. My MIL is terminal with breast cancer that metastasized into her neck. If it wasn't for the chemo royally kicking her ass I know that she wouldn't want anyone to know either. It depresses her when people treat her like a hopeless case.

Then again, maybe I don't understand the whole blood thing. Hope it didn't seem like I was yelling at you Monkey. After all, you are my saviour (with a lower case 's') and Holder of the Sacred Key. :)
actually i wasn't aware of the stigma either, especially in a western country. she lives in toronto and there is a fairly large community of chinese people there who are from HK. i asked her if she has sought support groups for the disease, because i was expecting that there must be support groups for Hep B since it's so much more common in Asian people. but surprisingly she told me about the stigma that goes with the disease and that she doesn't want people outside the family to know.

[artsfartsyjanet]

Thanks for the notice. :) I believe the immunization's free at my workplace....I'll need to double check.

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by Chasiubao_Boy@Aug 19 2002, 09:35 PM
Sorry to hear about your aunt, monkeyking and your mom-in-law, hapa.
thanks. and you too, hapa. and sorry to hear about your mother-in-law, too.

but yeah my aunt is just basically trying to live normally, despite the fact that she has had to make many changes in her lifestyle, especially her diet, and just hoping that she can prolong her time until there is actually a cure. the chinese medicine has helped alot and given her more energy. more than anything she just worries about her kids (5 girls), they're all still really young.

[kimpossible]

Since the topic is back up... chronic carriers should get a yearly screening once they enter 30s or 40s. When you get your annual physical, have your doc tag on an ultrasound exam for your liver. Then every 6 months have your blood checked for the level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The info I have says to start in the 30s-40s but I'm making Mr. HH start at 30.

It's important to have both test methods done in conjuction because one method alone can miss cirrhosis.

[SunWuKong]

i still haven't gone to get checked. i'm such a lazy ass...

[Danny]

There is a difference between HepB and HepB core antibodies.... but they are both related in the reason that a person carrying the core antibodies can in fact develop into HepB and a person with the core antibodies can infect someone else with the coreantibodies.

Me and my wife have the core antibodies, and the rational behind how we got it was becuase we btoh were in a 3rd world country and were probably exposed to HepB in some regards. She was in the Philippines and I was in Turkey as children.

Since finding out this information we have basically stopped drinking alcohol, which is the #1 culprit in regard to liver damage.

I would not be surprised if a alrge amount of the people here have the core antibodies, especially if you lived overseas, or in communities that were not really the most hygenic of places.... I would get it looked at, it is considered an STD of sorts....

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by Danny@Dec 23 2002, 03:15 PM
I would get it looked at, it is considered an STD of sorts....
not of sorts. in fact it is an STD.

[deez nuts]

Two types of vaccines are available for prophylaxis against HBV infection. Not going into the immunology of it.

1)HBIG: Called the Hepatitis B Immune Globulin. It provides temporary protection of 4-6 months. It's normally used for post-exposure to HBV.

2)Hepatitis B Vaccine : provides long term protection against HBV. It is used for pre-exposure and post exposure to HBV.

It's a series of three injections administered intramuscularly thru the deltoid or buttocks. The first shot is given then the second shot is given one month after the first one and the third shot is given six months after the first shot.

For more info:

http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/gi/hepB.html

[Danny]

Originally posted by SunWuKung@Dec 23 2002, 03:19 PM
not of sorts. in fact it is an STD.
HepB is considered an STD, HepB CoreAntibodies I have only seen referenced to once as an STD.... to me it is an STD, but some journals do not recognize it as such.

[deez nuts]

Yeah the CDC classifies HepB as an STD. However the HDV (Hepatitis Delta Virus) and Anti-HBc or anti-HBs or HepB coreAntibodies is still in the gray area. Some classify it as an STD, some do not.

[wylin]

dammit when can they come out w/ genital warts vaccine so whenever i plug a girl i dont have to worry if after my hoho's might end up broken!

[deez nuts]

Originally posted by wylin@Dec 23 2002, 05:06 PM
dammit when can they come out w/ genital warts vaccine so whenever i plug a girl i dont have to worry if after my hoho's might end up broken!
Come to me I'll remove it for you via electrical loops, laser or surgically cut it off. Or I can just prescribe ya some Podophyllin or Condylox! :lol:

I would prefer the second option :lol:

[wylin]

i thought just using automotive grade sand paper or a exacto knife takes it off, or mayne a TIG welding torch?

[deez nuts]

Originally posted by wylin@Dec 23 2002, 05:20 PM
i thought just using automotive grade sand paper or a exacto knife takes it off, or mayne a TIG welding torch?
Owwwwwwwww

[kimpossible]

*bump*

have you guys gotten your innoculations yet? If you have any questions or would like more information just click on the link to the Jade Ribbon campaign in my sig.

[himura-dono]

the UC's demand that you get the hep b series done before you come to the campus to study. they want your immunization record and documentation that you have the series completed before you start school. how often would i need to do it? it's been about just under 3 years since i finished the series and would want to update it if i'm getting lax.

[deez nuts]

Originally posted by himura-dono@Apr 18 2003, 11:31 AM
the UC's demand that you get the hep b series done before you come to the campus to study. they want your immunization record and documentation that you have the series completed before you start school. how often would i need to do it? it's been about just under 3 years since i finished the series and would want to update it if i'm getting lax.
u should be ok unless ur around people with HBV or are carriers.

if not, just get it done at ur next physical.

[TyroneK(prettypretty)]

Originally posted by Hello_Hapa@Apr 18 2003, 11:01 AM
*bump*

have you guys gotten your innoculations yet? If you have any questions or would like more information just click on the link to the Jade Ribbon campaign in my sig.
Yup yup.

Got innoculated a couple of years ago.

[kimpossible]

Originally posted by himura-dono@Apr 18 2003, 08:31 AM
the UC's demand that you get the hep b series done before you come to the campus to study. they want your immunization record and documentation that you have the series completed before you start school. how often would i need to do it? it's been about just under 3 years since i finished the series and would want to update it if i'm getting lax.
Personally I would get HBsAb bloodwork done. A good chunk of those innoculated do not develop the needed antibodies. The test below will determine whether or not you need another round to develop immunity. It's a simple blood test.

I have had the test done to confirm my body produced the antibodies for immunity.

Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (HBsAb or Anti-HBs)


Positive result means that the individual is already protected from hepatitis B infection and does not require hepatitis B vaccination.

Negative result means that the individual is not protected from hepatitis B infection. If the individual is not a hepatitis B carrier based on HBsAg testing, then hepatitis B vaccination will protect the individual from being infected in the future.

[himura-dono]

i'll have to hit up cowell while i still have uber cheap medical insurance.