Hepatitis B: A Silent illness that needs attention
What Is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver and can cause both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) illness. A person with a chronic infection is referred to as a Hepatitis B carrier. The virus is spread through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids — such as during unprotected sex, sharing needles, or from mother to baby during childbirth.
The younger a person is when they contract hepatitis B, the more likely they are to develop a chronic carrier state.
In Malaysia, hepatitis B is considered an intermediate burden, meaning it's a significant health concern, and many people carry the virus without even knowing it.
What Does It Mean to Be a Chronic Hepatitis B Carrier?
If the virus remains in your body for more than six months, you are considered a chronic hepatitis B carrier. You may feel healthy and show no symptoms, but the virus could silently be causing long-term liver damage.
Without regular medical follow-up, chronic hepatitis B can lead to liver cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver failure and liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma).
These complications can be life-threatening but they are preventable with proper care and monitoring.
Why Is Regular Follow-up So Important?
Even if you feel fine, regular follow-up is crucial to monitor liver function and viral activity, detect early signs of liver damage or cancer, determine when to start treatment and protect your loved ones from infection.
By seeing your doctor every six to 12 months, you can stay ahead of the disease and reduce the risk of serious complications.
What Does Follow-up Usually Involve?
Blood tests – to check liver enzymes, HBV DNA levels, and overall liver function Ultrasound scan or FibroScan – to assess liver damage/scarring and to detect for early sign of liver cancer Tumour marker test (AFP) – to detect early signs of liver cancer Antiviral treatment, if necessary Routine follow-up will help doctor to decide when to start treatment and catch liver problems early — before symptoms appear.
When Does Hepatitis B Need to Be Treated?
Treatment for hepatitis B is not always necessary. Patient may need antiviral therapy if there is evidence of active liver damage, such as elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST), high levels of HBV DNA (viral load), inflammation or fibrosis shown on liver biopsy or elastography and signs of cirrhosis or scarring of the liver.
In addition, treatment is required if the patient is immunocompromised or undergoing chemotherapy, to prevent reactivation.
A pregnant woman has a high viral load — antiviral medication (usually tenofovir) is given during the third trimester to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
The Hepatitis B vaccine is safe, effective and provides long-term protection. In Malaysia, the vaccine is part of the National Immunization Programme (NIP) and given to all infants since 1989. However, many adults borne before that remain unvaccinated.
To prevent hepatitis B, here are things that can be done: Get vaccinated if you haven't already, practice safe sex (use condoms), avoid sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes, ensure medical and dental procedures use sterilized equipment.
All pregnant women should be screened for hepatitis B
Last but not least, here are some of the common myths and facts about Hepatitis B You can get hepatitis B from casual contact like hugging or sharing food.
Hepatitis B is not spread through casual contact. It is spread through blood and bodily fluids.
If I feel fine, I don't need to see a doctor.
Hepatitis B can be silent for years. Regular monitoring is essential to detect liver damage early.
There is no hope if I have chronic hepatitis B.
Many people live long, healthy lives with proper medical care and follow-up.
Your Health Is in Your Hands
Living with chronic hepatitis B is not a death sentence.
Dr Lu Chee Men, Resident Consultant Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist, Internal Medicine Physician of KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital advised the public that 'With regular check-ups and monitoring, many carriers live full, healthy lives. However, ignoring the condition increases the risk of serious liver disease.'
Don't wait for symptoms. Don't assume you're fine just because you feel fine.
Take control — get checked, follow up, and protect your liver.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Borneo Post
Hepatitis B: A Silent illness that needs attention
Dr Lu Chee Men What Is Hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver and can cause both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) illness. A person with a chronic infection is referred to as a Hepatitis B carrier. The virus is spread through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids — such as during unprotected sex, sharing needles, or from mother to baby during childbirth. The younger a person is when they contract hepatitis B, the more likely they are to develop a chronic carrier state. In Malaysia, hepatitis B is considered an intermediate burden, meaning it's a significant health concern, and many people carry the virus without even knowing it. What Does It Mean to Be a Chronic Hepatitis B Carrier? If the virus remains in your body for more than six months, you are considered a chronic hepatitis B carrier. You may feel healthy and show no symptoms, but the virus could silently be causing long-term liver damage. Without regular medical follow-up, chronic hepatitis B can lead to liver cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver failure and liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma). These complications can be life-threatening but they are preventable with proper care and monitoring. Why Is Regular Follow-up So Important? Even if you feel fine, regular follow-up is crucial to monitor liver function and viral activity, detect early signs of liver damage or cancer, determine when to start treatment and protect your loved ones from infection. By seeing your doctor every six to 12 months, you can stay ahead of the disease and reduce the risk of serious complications. What Does Follow-up Usually Involve? Blood tests – to check liver enzymes, HBV DNA levels, and overall liver function Ultrasound scan or FibroScan – to assess liver damage/scarring and to detect for early sign of liver cancer Tumour marker test (AFP) – to detect early signs of liver cancer Antiviral treatment, if necessary Routine follow-up will help doctor to decide when to start treatment and catch liver problems early — before symptoms appear. When Does Hepatitis B Need to Be Treated? Treatment for hepatitis B is not always necessary. Patient may need antiviral therapy if there is evidence of active liver damage, such as elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST), high levels of HBV DNA (viral load), inflammation or fibrosis shown on liver biopsy or elastography and signs of cirrhosis or scarring of the liver. In addition, treatment is required if the patient is immunocompromised or undergoing chemotherapy, to prevent reactivation. A pregnant woman has a high viral load — antiviral medication (usually tenofovir) is given during the third trimester to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission Prevention Is Better Than Cure The Hepatitis B vaccine is safe, effective and provides long-term protection. In Malaysia, the vaccine is part of the National Immunization Programme (NIP) and given to all infants since 1989. However, many adults borne before that remain unvaccinated. To prevent hepatitis B, here are things that can be done: Get vaccinated if you haven't already, practice safe sex (use condoms), avoid sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes, ensure medical and dental procedures use sterilized equipment. All pregnant women should be screened for hepatitis B Last but not least, here are some of the common myths and facts about Hepatitis B You can get hepatitis B from casual contact like hugging or sharing food. Hepatitis B is not spread through casual contact. It is spread through blood and bodily fluids. If I feel fine, I don't need to see a doctor. Hepatitis B can be silent for years. Regular monitoring is essential to detect liver damage early. There is no hope if I have chronic hepatitis B. Many people live long, healthy lives with proper medical care and follow-up. Your Health Is in Your Hands Living with chronic hepatitis B is not a death sentence. Dr Lu Chee Men, Resident Consultant Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist, Internal Medicine Physician of KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital advised the public that 'With regular check-ups and monitoring, many carriers live full, healthy lives. However, ignoring the condition increases the risk of serious liver disease.' Don't wait for symptoms. Don't assume you're fine just because you feel fine. Take control — get checked, follow up, and protect your liver.
Borneo Post
08-06-2025
- Borneo Post
Health Camp to empower community through preventive care, free screenings
File photo for illustration purposes KUCHING (June 8): A free medical camp and health awareness programme will be held at CityONE Megamall, Jalan Song here this June 15, providing members of the public access to vital health screenings and educational activities. Organised by Pertubuhan Pembangunan Insan Sarawak (PPIS) and Lions Club of Kuching Unity (LCKU), the event will begin at 10am. This medical camp is open to all and seeks to raise awareness of key health issues through a wide range of free health screenings and wellness services, said the organisers in a statement. Among the lined-up activities are complimentary eye and dental checks, general health screenings, needling therapy, a blood donation drive, and organ donation pledge registration. 'There will also be free Hepatitis B and C vaccines,' said PPIS president Manjeet Sidhu, who emphasised the importance of early detection and awareness. 'Preventive care and awareness are the cornerstones of a healthy community. Through this medical camp, we hope to empower people to take charge of their health and understand the importance of regular check-ups,' she said. The camp is supported by a team of medical professionals, health agencies, and volunteers working together with a unified goal of improving public health in the community. For more information, contact PPIS on 014-6926123, visit the organisation's social media platforms, or inquire at CityONE Megamall on the day of the event. free health screening healthcare Pertubuhan Pembangunan Insan Sarawak
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Expert: Fomema gaps let syndicates slip through
KUALA LUMPUR: A security expert has called on the government to tighten oversight of the Foreign Workers' Medical Examination Monitoring Agency (Fomema), citing weak inter-agency coordination and poor system checks that have left the agency vulnerable to exploitation by criminal syndicates. Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia's (UPNM) Faculty of Defence Studies and Management Professor Dr Mohd Mizan Aslam said the current Fomema system lacked a comprehensive verification process, making it susceptible to identity fraud and document forgery. "Although the system is centralised, the database and monitoring mechanisms are not thorough. This opens the door for syndicates to manipulate data and forge health certificates," he told the New Straits Times. He said Fomema currently processed medical certifications based solely on submitted documents, without verifying whether foreign workers had criminal records, previous deportations, or were using false identities. "This loophole has serious implications. Without accurate identity verification — via biometrics or inter-agency checks — syndicates will continue to exploit the system," he added. Mizan comments come in the wake of a recent crackdown by the Immigration Department on a forgery syndicate capable of producing up to 100 fake passports daily. The syndicate, which charged between RM100 and RM150 per fake passport, also manipulated the biodata of undocumented migrants to obtain Fomema health clearances. These forged medical documents were sold for between RM600 and RM1,000 each. He said this exposed clear weaknesses in the system, adding that syndicates were not just bypassing immigration rules, but also public health safeguards. "This situation could lead to the return of diseases like tuberculosis and hepatitis B, especially as infected individuals from countries with weaker healthcare systems go undetected," he said. "Malaysia has successfully controlled these diseases through vaccination and health campaigns. But without effective screening, they could resurface and strain our health infrastructure." Mizan said that while international passport systems were generally secure, Fomema documents lacked similar safeguards. "Unlike passports, Fomema certificates do not have tamper-proof features like QR codes or digital watermarks. This makes them easier to forge and abuse," he said. To address the issue, Mizan urged the government to introduce biometric verification for all foreign worker medical screenings, strengthen access control to Fomema's database, and integrate its system with immigration and law enforcement agencies. He also proposed placing certified integrity officers at key government departments to monitor compliance and prevent internal collusion. While acknowledging growing concerns over the agency's integrity, Mizan stressed that Fomema should not be dismantled but reformed. "We shouldn't abandon Fomema. We need to upgrade its technology, tighten control mechanisms, and improve coordination across agencies so it can fulfil its role in safeguarding national interests," he said.
