Transcript of Hepatitis B Public Service Announcement
KCBS Announcer: The Physician Foundation at California Pacific Medical Center brings you this segment of Health Matters. Liver specialist Dr. Stewart Cooper comments on Hepatitis B.
Dr. Cooper: Hepatitis B is caused by a small virus, which causes a big health problem. There are about 400 million people infected worldwide and the majority are Asians and Pacific Islanders. Most don’t know they are infected.
Many people who are infected and carry the virus will eventually develop serious liver problems -- including cancer -- unless they seek medical care.
If you are Asian or a Pacific Islander, it is important that you get tested. All it involves is a simple blood test, which isn’t usually offered at routine Doctors’ visits. Please take action for yourself, and encourage your family. Testing is available at CPMC and throughout San Francisco as part of the San Francisco HepB Free campaign. We can prevent transmission and keep you and your family healthy even if you have hepatitis B.