After a routine test at a free community service, Denis received shocking news: he tested positive for hepatitis B. Denis was confused as to how he got hepatitis B while his family tested negative. He started treatment in 2019 and faced challenges like transportation to doctor appointments along the way. As of now, his care and treatment are free. Denis believes it is important to be proactive about getting tested for hepatitis B and seeking professional medical care.

Shane knew he had hepatitis B when he was in middle school and started regular check-ups 10 years ago. But because every check-up showed no problems, hepatitis B was never taken seriously and never treated. Later, due to busy work, he did not return for follow-up for two years. Unfortunately, when he returned for a follow-up visit four years ago, he unexpectedly discovered an 8.5-centimeter liver cancer tumor! Shane urged people with hepatitis B to return for regular check-ups without interruption. He also encouraged people with hepatitis B to receive antiviral drug treatment as early as possible to reduce the risk of liver cancer.

Hepatitis B is the main cause of liver cancer. Early treatment can reduce liver cancer risk.

This interview was conducted on February 18, 2023 in Taipei City, Taiwan. 。

Producer：Jacki Chen

Interviewers：Jacki Chen & Rhea Racho

Sponsor：Hepatitis B Foundation (USA)

Organizer：Taiwan Hepatitis Information & Care Association (THICA) 社團法人台灣肝炎資訊網關懷協會 @thica-taiwan

This story was derived from a face-to-face interview with an actual patient in Taiwan. All statements made by the patient represent their personal views. HBF and THICA neither endorse nor take responsibility for any comments made by the patient."

Follow Hassan's journey as he battles through the fear and stigma of being diagnosed with hepatitis B. From initially mistaking his symptoms for malaria to facing stigma from loved ones after his diagnosis, Hassan's resilience shines through. Despite the challenges, he wants to spread awareness that living positively with hepatitis B is possible, and one can still lead a fulfilling life with proper care and management of hepatitis B. All patients with chronic hepatitis B infections, including children and adults, should be monitored regularly since they are at increased risk for developing cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.

Interviewers: National Organisation for People Living with Hepatitis B (NOPLHB)

https://noplhb.org/

Sponsors: Hepatitis B Foundation (USA) and Gilead Sciences

Initially traumatized by the diagnosis in 2021, Musa was advised by healthcare professionals to start medication promptly. Overcoming initial hurdles in accessing the correct treatment, he now receives medication free of charge at government hospitals. Musa emphasizes the importance of early testing, highlighting that hepatitis B may not show symptoms immediately. With his story, he aims to spread awareness that living normally with Hepatitis B is possible, urging others to prioritize their health and get tested early

Interviewers: National Organisation for People Living with Hepatitis B (NOPLHB)

https://noplhb.org/

Sponsors: Hepatitis B Foundation (USA) and Gilead Sciences

Interviewers: National Organisation for People Living with Hepatitis B (NOPLHB)

https://noplhb.org/

Sponsors: Hepatitis B Foundation (USA) and Gilead Sciences

A few years ago, Amon began to experience symptoms of what he later found out was hepatitis B. Initially, Amon could not get tested as the tests were too expensive. Over time, Amon’s symptoms worsened, and in 2017 while applying for jobs, Amon tested positive for hepatitis B when applying for jobs. Amon was stigmatized by his community due to his diagnosis. Amon began to realize the barriers people face when they are in a similar situation. Seeing that cost and lack of medicine are the main barriers to testing, Amon saw the need for awareness and education to help ensure everyone knows about hepatitis B.

Interviewers: National Organisation for People Living with Hepatitis B (NOPLHB)

https://noplhb.org/

Sponsors: Hepatitis B Foundation (USA) and Gilead Sciences

CC discovered he had Hepatitis B in high school during a blood donation. His hepatitis B was due to mother-to-child vertical transmission. Despite routine health check-ups, CC experienced an episode of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) at the age of 48. He was hospitalized for a month and luckily recovered. Despite the acute nature of his severe hepatitis, CC wasn't able to get immediate antiviral treatment at a local hospital due to policy restriction on prescription eligibility to specialists. CC urges the government and policy makers to relax treatment guideline for hepatitis B and emphasize that antiviral treatment not only control the virus but also lower the risk of liver cancer, one of the leading cause of cancer death in Taiwan.

Popularly named Action, or Action Man, Philip's brother was a pillar of his family and community and a father of three children, two boys and a girl. In 2017, Philip’s brother experienced many ups and downs in his health. After a series of tests, he was referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ashanti Region of Ghana. After being turned away and facing other difficulties, Philip’s brother stayed home, where his health deteriorated. Soon after, Philip took his brother to a different hospital for transport and treatment. Here, Philip stayed and watched his brother in his final days. After his brother’s death, Philip began campaigning to end mortality due to hepatitis B.

Jamie discovered she had Hepatitis B during her freshman health check-up in college. Both her maternal grandmother and her mother have chronic Hepatitis B infections. With her ongoing battle against Lupus and undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, she had begun antiviral therapy for her Hepatitis B. Jamie urges young individuals to speak out about their infections to combat societal stigma and anticipates more effective treatments in the future. She emphasizes that treating Hepatitis B is less costly than treating liver cancer, pointing to the importance of starting treatment early before it progresses to liver cancer.

Cash knew that she had hepatitis B at the age of 14, during a regular school health check-up. She was told that everything was fine, no need for treatment. Unfortunately, a liver tumor was discovered and found to be a malignant cancer. She underwent surgery and took part in a clinical trial to prevent the cancer from coming back, and started to take antiviral to control the virus.

During his freshman health check-up in college, Jacky discovered he had hepatitis B. Initially informed that no treatment was required as everything seemed fine. However, last year, he encountered esophageal bleeding stemming from liver cirrhosis. Following surgery, he commenced antiviral therapy and refrained from consuming alcohol.

Xiaohui has been a carrier of hepatitis B since childhood, but she has always been healthy and symptom-free. Her liver shows no signs of inflammation, fibrosis or cirrhosis, and she rarely even catches a cold. Regrettably, a massive liver tumor was discovered at the age of 36. Despite surgical removal, it unfortunately recurred and had spread to other organs. Xiaohui is on targeted drug therapy covered by government health insurance. If the drug fails one day, she hopes the government will continue to help her. Xiaohui does not meet government insurance criteria for the latest immunotherapy plus targeted drug. She is now being treated with chemotherapy and a second line immunotherapy at her own expense. We urge the Taiwan government to expand access to first-line immunotherapy and targeted drugs, giving Xiaohui a better chance to survive and raise her children. Hepatitis B is the main cause of liver cancer. There are vaccines to prevent infection and drugs to control the virus. Vaccination and treatment can greatly reduce liver cancer risk.

At birth, Mike Lin contracted the hepatitis B virus through vertical transmission from his mother. However, he showed no obvious symptoms until a severe and sudden flare of hepatitis in 2005. He then began oral antiviral treatment, which he continues to this day to control the virus. In 2012, he discovered a liver tumor for the first time. Despite surgical removal, it unfortunately recurred twice. After multiple surgeries, embolizations (TAE), and Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatments, he is fortunate to have stabilized both his hepatitis B and liver cancer for many years. Mike urges individuals with chronic hepatitis B to undergo regular check-ups and to eliminate unhealthy habits, allowing them to lead lives similar to those without the condition. Hepatitis B is a primary cause of liver cancer, but it can be prevented with a vaccine and controlled with medication. These interventions significantly reduce the likelihood of developing liver cancer.

Kenneth's personal experience with hepatitis B, including losing a friend to the disease and his own diagnosis, led him to create the National Organization for People with Hepatitis B. The organization is focused on eliminating stigma, increasing awareness, and advocating for services for people with hepatitis B.

Nathaniel found out he had hepatitis B shortly after losing his father to liver cancer caused by hepatitis B. He describes that many people in Northern Nigeria are unaware of hepatitis B. Nathaniel shares more about his experience with getting treatment. Nathaniel describes the challenges of accessing treatment in Nigeria can be costly. He describes that the same treatments are free for HIV and hopes that the same program can be extended to hepatitis B.

Shaibu is from Tanzania and found out he had hepatitis B at a young age. As a child, Shaibu and his brother were unfairly isolated from others in school because of their hepatitis B. Paying for treatment was costly. The family had to sell livestock and fundraise to try to get care. Since his brother's death from cirrhosis, Shaibu has been working to raise awareness about hepatitis B.

Sonia, Nigeria: #ICantWait To Vaccinate My Baby

Ismail is one of almost 300 million people with hepatitis B. He found out that he had hepatitis B when he got a required medical test. Thankfully at the time his hepatitis B was diagnosed it was found that his liver was normal and the infection was inactive.

John: #ICantWait to get treated for hepatitis B

Gold: #ICantWait To Tell My Friends To Get Tested and Vaccinated.

Dayo’s Story: #ICantWait To Get Tested.