Female Speaker: Since the day she was born Arline Loh has carried a dangerous virus known as Hepatitis B. She learned she was a carrier in her late 30s, but kept the diagnosis as a secret for 15 years.
Arline Loh: I was devastated, all I can think of is I have three young children and I have a husband, I have a good career and what is going to happen to my kids and husband while I'm sick in bed.
Dr. Steven Han: Hepatitis B is a viral infection and it infects the liver. In over time it can cause damage to the liver, so that it doesn't work properly and in a certain group of patients it can even cause liver cancer.
Female Speaker: Chronic Hepatitis B affects fewer than one in 200 Americans, but among Asians that figure is an astounding one in ten. The virus typically spreads through blood intercourse or from mother to baby during childbirth.
Dr. Anna S. Lok: -- from an infected mother to a newborn baby is actually the most common way of which Hepatitis B is transmitted among Asians.
Female Speaker: In most countries, newborns are now vaccinated against Hepatitis B, a step that prevents transmission from the mother, but the virus continues to strike adults who never received the vaccine.
Dr. Steven Han: The infection is very easy to diagnose, it's a simple blood test that tells you whether a patient has chronic Hepatitis B infection.
Anna S. Lok: And if you do test positive, go and request to get further testing, so that you know if you may be one of those who should be start on treatment now.
Female Speaker: Not everyone with Hepatitis B needs treatment, but all patients that should be tested regularly for viral activity and signs of cirrhosis, a dangerous scarring of the liver. Doctors say the most serious complications can often be prevented, thanks to powerful new therapies that suppress the virus when it's active.
Dr. Anna S. Lok: When a virus is suppressed to lower level that's less liver entry. And we do have data to show that. Over time the patients who have a sustained suppression of virus do have a reduced chance of developing cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.
Female Speaker: There are several FDA approved treatments for Hepatitis B. These include injectable therapies and/or medications. One of which has had dramatic results for Arline.
Arline Loh: I don't have any Hep B virus at all at this time and I didn't have flare up for the last five years. In terms of the treatment, I think I found my major --
Dr. Steven Han: The oral medications are one pill a day, very few side effects, but they're very effective in suppressing the virus.
Female Speaker: Unfortunately, only a fraction of those who could benefit received treatment.
Dr Danny Chu: I think part of the problem in the Asian communities Hepatitis B is looked upon as a taboo. If you have it no one likes to talk about it.
Female Speaker: Advocates like Arline are working to change that.
Arline Loh: I would encourage anybody who is diagnosed with chronic Hepatitis B to seek treatment as early as possible.
Female Speaker: The chance to spread this message is what prompted Arline to start speaking up after so many years of silence.
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