Some 350 million people have been infected with chronic Hepatitis B worldwide, and in Turkey that figure is in the 400,000s and climbing, but only 20,000 Turks know they have the disease. Hepatitis B is a chronic, life-threatening illness that affects the liver. Uncontrolled, it can be the cause of problems such as liver failure, liver cancer and cirrhosis. The incidence of the virus is 5-6 percent in Turkey, but this figure climbs as high as 11 percent in the Southeast, where interfamily transmission of the disease is common. The virus is often spread in the Southeast through tattooing performed for healing purposes and through the shared use of toothbrushes, razors, towels and cutlery. Experts say the best form of protection against the virus is the Hepatitis B vaccine. The incidence of the disease in children has fallen from 8-10 percent to 1-1.5 percent in the 10 years since the vaccine was introduced in Turkey.

More: http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=157870

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Which raises the question: Are YOU vaccinated?

I have had ALL my shots! 

Actually, most healthcare workers are  vaccinated (I was years ago) and they started vaccinating babies in the US about 12 years ago.  Unfortunately, not all pediatricians do any confirmation bloodwork to ensure that the child actually developed immunity......and most teens will need a booster at some point in time.   It´s not something you just get the vaccine for and never think of again.  People who are vaccinated need to follow up with medical screenings.......gosh, I sound like a commercial! 

This has been a public service announcement sponsored by ShallowTV!

 Lis, your so convincing....I´m making a doctors appointment today for my screening.

 I had it when I worked in a hospital but never kept up the booster jab.  I was supposed to get it done when I went to China but enver bothered.  Bloody thing hurts and makes your arm swell up!

Our health service only normally vacinate if you are high risk, like working in a hospital where you come into contact with bodily fluids or you are travelling to a country of high risk, like China. 

Hepatitis B vaccination consists of 3 seperate vacinations (at least here?), I got two of them but forgot to go for the third. I should make a new appointment, but since I sort of have a needle-phobia I keep postponing it. Does anybody know whether this means I will need to get the other 2 done again?

I should have protection from hep A for the next 20 years, but not B. Somehow I thought only druggies etc. got hep B, but does it infect through food, bad hygenic places etc. as well?

 I am not sure,I believe so ?

When I went to Turkey, I checked my doctor and he adviced me to be protected against hep A and hep B and belly dyfteria (I have no idea what the english is, and actually I dont know the meaning of the Dutch word either really) if I were to go for a period longer than 3 months.

Isnt hep B also spread through sexual intercourse?

 Hep B is usually a sexually transmitted disease.  However, IV drug users and healthcare workers are also at risk..(there is a few other groups too, but I can´t think of them right now.)