{"id":14821,"date":"2026-09-04T16:55:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T08:55:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premierclinic.hk\/?p=14821"},"modified":"2026-09-04T16:55:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T08:55:20","slug":"%e8%aa%8d%e8%ad%98%e6%9c%ac%e6%b8%af5%e7%a8%ae%e5%b8%b8%e8%a6%8b%e7%97%85%e6%af%92%e6%80%a7%e8%82%9d%e7%82%8e-%e7%82%8e%e5%a4%8f%e5%b0%8f%e5%bf%83%e5%85%a9%e9%a1%9e%e8%82%9d%e7%82%8e%e7%97%85%e5%be%9e","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premierclinic.hk\/en\/news\/%e8%aa%8d%e8%ad%98%e6%9c%ac%e6%b8%af5%e7%a8%ae%e5%b8%b8%e8%a6%8b%e7%97%85%e6%af%92%e6%80%a7%e8%82%9d%e7%82%8e-%e7%82%8e%e5%a4%8f%e5%b0%8f%e5%bf%83%e5%85%a9%e9%a1%9e%e8%82%9d%e7%82%8e%e7%97%85%e5%be%9e\/","title":{"rendered":"\u8a8d\u8b58\u672c\u6e2f5\u7a2e\u5e38\u898b\u75c5\u6bd2\u6027\u809d\u708e \u708e\u590f\u5c0f\u5fc3\u5169\u985e\u809d\u708e\u75c5\u5f9e\u53e3\u5165\uff08healthyD.com\uff09"},"content":{"rendered":"

As summer approaches, many people enjoy refreshing foods to beat the heat, such as chilled seafood, salads, or shaved ice. However, it's important to remember to pay attention to food hygiene and safety, as carelessness can lead to foodborne illnesses! Recently, there has been an increase in cases of people seeking medical attention due to eating undercooked food, with some even being diagnosed with hepatitis A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Eating raw seafood carries an extremely high risk of contracting hepatitis A or E.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is one of the main pathogens causing viral hepatitis, along with hepatitis B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A is mainly transmitted through drinking contaminated water or eating undercooked shellfish such as oysters and mussels; close contact or sexual contact with an infected person also carries a higher risk of infection.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is transmitted through similar routes to hepatitis A, also by consuming undercooked shellfish, meat, or offal (especially pork and liver). Fortunately, both types of hepatitis usually resolve on their own and generally do not develop into chronic hepatitis or cause long-term viral carrier status.

People who have recovered from hepatitis A usually have lifelong immunity; and most people who have completed two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine also have immunity for up to 20 years or even a lifetime. Currently, there is no vaccine available for hepatitis E, but paying attention to personal, dietary, and environmental hygiene can help reduce the risk of infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three types of hepatitis that can develop into liver cancer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and hepatitis D (HDV) viruses can cause chronic liver disease, which can lead to cirrhosis and even liver cancer in severe cases. Studies have shown that most liver cancer cases are related to hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection, with nearly 80% of these cases associated with chronic hepatitis B.

according toDepartment of Health 2020-22 Population Health Survey Report<\/a>There are approximately 410,000 hepatitis B carriers in Hong Kong, a number that should not be underestimated! It is important to be aware that this disease is a lifelong infection, and the younger the age at which infection occurs, the higher the chance of it developing into chronic hepatitis B. For example, the risk of newborns developing chronic hepatitis B after infection is as high as 90%.

Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through contact with blood or bodily fluids. Patients with chronic hepatitis B must have regular checkups and blood tests. If a doctor assesses that antiviral medication is necessary, they must take it as prescribed to stabilize their condition and reduce the chance of it progressing to serious liver disease. Those born in 1988 or earlier, in particular, have a significantly higher rate of hepatitis B infection because the hepatitis B vaccination program for newborns was not fully implemented in Hong Kong at that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can I tell if I am infected with the hepatitis B virus?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To determine if they are infected with the hepatitis B virus, eligible individuals can participate in the recently launched "Hepatitis B Joint Governance Scheme" by the government for hepatitis B screening. If the "Hepatitis B surface antigen rapid test" result is positive, the patient will be scheduled for detailed examination and appropriate treatment. In addition, citizens can undergo blood tests to check their hepatitis B antigen and antibody levels. If they have never been infected but do not have sufficient antibodies, they can receive a booster vaccination for protection. Women planning to become pregnant are advised to consult a healthcare professional if they have any questions about the vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis C patients are mostly injecting drug users.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As for hepatitis C, its transmission routes are similar to those of hepatitis B, most commonly through contact with the blood of an infected person. Among these, the infection rate is higher among people who share needles for injecting drugs, followed by mother-to-child transmission. Fortunately, hepatitis C can be cleared by oral direct-acting antiviral drugs prescribed by a doctor. However, even after recovery, there is no lifelong immunity, and active prevention is still necessary to avoid reinfection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis D requires coexistence with Hepatitis B.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis D cases are relatively rare in Hong Kong, mainly resulting from infection via shared needles used for drug injection. Because the hepatitis D virus cannot survive independently and must attach to the hepatitis B virus to multiply, the risk of developing chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis is significantly increased with dual infection! Although there is currently no vaccine to prevent hepatitis D, vaccination against hepatitis B can simultaneously prevent hepatitis D infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A two-pronged approach to prevent viral hepatitis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Blood tests can diagnose the aforementioned viral hepatitis. High-risk individuals should have regular blood tests to check their liver function. It is also recommended to have tests such as liver ultrasound and Fibroscan to monitor liver health.

In addition, actively protecting the liver in daily life can also effectively reduce the risk of liver disease, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n