The World Hepatitis Alliance President: Europe there are also a result of ignorance, discrimination

World Hepatitis Alliance was established in November 4, 2007, but its predecessor, the "international patient organization" efforts in the field of universal hepatitis was started in 2004. Starting this year, Europe's hepatitis NGO organizations began to unite different theme each year to determine, at the same time to the public, the medical profession, politicians, publicity about the hepatitis prevention, screening and treatment knowledge.

As part of this series of joint action of Pushing Hands, the British Foundation President Charles Gore, Hepatitis C (Charles Gore), in 2004, promoting the establishment of the European Association of hepatitis patients, and as its Chairman. As the world's outstanding contribution to the field of hepatitis prevention and treatment, with more than 60 countries worldwide more than 200 hepatitis NGO organizations, as a member of the World Hepatitis Alliance, he was re-elected as Chairman.

As early as 2002, Charles Gore on the use of pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin treatment in the United Kingdom has successfully cleared the hepatitis B virus. With doctors and NGO dual role of the person in charge, who in 2007 contributed to May 19 of each year as "World Hepatitis Day." The World Hepatitis Alliance Executive on behalf of the Western Pacific Region, China Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention, Wang Zhao, vice president of the co-ordination, the "World Hepatitis Day" theme "I am the first 12 it?"

The purpose of this subject is designed to convey the message of this warning: that the world's approximately 12 individuals, there is a viral infection.

This is also widespread concern about the Chinese public over the years.

China Newsweek: Why can not cure hepatitis B?

Charles: At present, hepatitis B treatment methods include inhibiting viral replication, to prevent it from damage. This method is very effective, but rarely completely eliminate the virus. May be because the body's immunity to the virus does not work, so the effective elimination of the virus is difficult.

China News Weekly: China's medical profession, there is a perception that: only a small number of hepatitis B virus carriers require clinical treatment. Do you agree with this view?

Charles: Yes, the hepatitis B disease caused by SARS is divided into different stages. Inactive phase of the virus do not require treatment. However, in the case without any warning, the virus can become active period is never an active period. Therefore, the monitoring of the importance of hepatitis B virus carriers.

China News Weekly: At present, hepatitis B and hepatitis C in Europe, how? Infection with these viruses of the total population ratio? What most of them infected?

Charles: Europe is variable and Southern and Eastern Europe, hepatitis B and hepatitis C in patients with a high proportion of the total population, about 10%, while the proportion of patients in northern Europe is very low, about 1%. The situation in Europe with China, most people are infected through mother to child transmission of hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis C is the major means of transmission and injecting drug medical procedures.

China News Weekly: Europe whether there is misunderstanding on hepatitis B and even time of fear? Discriminatory phenomenon? If so, Europe in the protection of people living with HIV from discrimination, there is no good way?

Charles: Europe is still the existence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C discrimination. Many Governments have enacted anti-discrimination law, but the law is not specifically hepatitis discrimination. Even so, there is still discrimination. For example, the United Kingdom there are two people to an employment agency to find work, but an employment agency so physically remove them, simply because they are hepatitis C carriers. British non-governmental organizations - United Kingdom hepatitis C in this case, the Foundation negotiated with the employment agency. The beginning of an employment agency, said they have a policy, to have hepatitis C, as this "infectious disease" in patients excluded. In the Government's employment and social assistance sector intervention, this policy has been determined is wrong, an employment agency apologized. This is an obvious result of discrimination because of ignorance.

China News Weekly: Do you think it is necessary for new recruits and new students enrolled in hepatitis B testing?

Charles: I think the provision of non-mandatory test is a good thing, it helps people understand their own health status, to enable them to improve. And use tests to deny a person access to education or job opportunities, would be inappropriate. Hepatitis B patients should be given appropriate counseling, assistance and treatment.

China News Weekly: put an end to discrimination against carriers of hepatitis B What is the most effective way?

Charles: Education is the best way to fight against discrimination, but it is often necessary to support the legislative branch, for example, the legislature expressly exclude other infectious diseases, refused entry or admission.

China News Weekly: hepatitis B and HIV have similar routes of transmission of hepatitis B carriers is much greater than the number of AIDS. However, the world, concerned about the degree of hepatitis B carriers was significantly lower than AIDS, do you think led to this situation what are the reasons? World Hepatitis Alliance will take measures to deal with this situation?

Charles: AIDS in the media, so there are several reasons for concern: AIDS has a strong and well-known spokesman, followed by AIDS and their supporters, well-organized and sustainable sound. In addition, a vaccine for hepatitis B, making people think the control of hepatitis B is available. But this is not correct, prevention and control of hepatitis B needs, not just vaccines. World Hepatitis Alliance is committed to viral hepatitis and HIV to obtain the same concerns. Seriousness of the problem by emphasizing the hepatitis, through the effective organization of patients and supporters groups, by attracting high-profile spokesmen, and through focus on the prevention and treatment of the entire process, from prevention, advocacy, testing, help, care and treatment of on to deal with viral hepatitis