Hepatitis the silent people Killer

Peter Chan, 55, is what we call a walking miracle. Fall under the percentage of people who no longer have the hepatitis B after suffering several years of infection. He was 30 when she was diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B.

"It was only after I read an article about hepatitis in New Straits Times that I had a better understanding of the disease. My father died of liver cancer and my siblings had jaundice at some point or another. Based on the information given in the write-up, I knew I was a likely candidate for hepatitis B.

Although I had no symptoms, I decided to get tested, to be on the safe side, and found that I was infected," says Chan.

Began treatment immediately and at the initial stage, had to inject the same drug daily for several months. After a few years, he moved to the oral medication over a period.Today, Chan is completely free of virus and is testament to the importance of early detection through awareness.
 

"I had to make certain lifestyle changes, like giving up alcohol totally as I didn't want to risk any liver damage," he adds. He goes for regular check-ups and urges everyone to go for hepatitis screening.

"Hepatitis is a silent killer as there are no symptoms. Once the symptoms show, it's too late. So you need to be aware of the disease and go and get yourself tested," he advises.

When you meet C. Chia, will not be able to tell who is a patient with hepatitis C. The 66-year-old is as fit as a fiddle when he enters the interview room. Scheduled to travel to the United States at the end of the day, talks about his journey with hepatitis C. 

"I was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 2005. I was shocked because I had gone in for a regular heart examination and came out discovering I had hepatitis C," he relates.

Sometime in 1979, Chia had to have a blood transfusion after suffering from stomach ulcers. Six years later, in 1986, again had a transfusion. He believes that blood transfusions have been the most likely cause of your Proof of hepatitis C hepatitis C were not available worldwide in early 1990.


"By the time I found out I had hepatitis C, it was 20 years later and my liver was already in the early stage of cirrhosis," he says.

He began treatment immediately and six months after completion, Chia was completely cured of the virus. He still undergoes regular blood tests and ultrasound of his liver as advised by his doctor. "I would never have known I had hepatitis C had I not gone for my heart exam. So my message to people out there is to get tested, especially if you are at any risk of getting it. The earlier you get diagnosed, the earlier you can treat it," he advises.