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Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by viral infections. The five main hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, and E) differ in their transmission routes, clinical outcomes, and treatment approaches. Hepatitis B and C are of particular concern as they can become chronic infections leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Hepatitis B is a critical health concern for the Asian American community. According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 12 Asian Americans is living with chronic hepatitis B, and many are unaware of their infection. In Flushing and the greater Queens area, where a large Asian population resides, hepatitis B screening and vaccination are essential public health measures. Mother-to-child transmission (vertical transmission) is the most common route of infection in Asian populations.
At Dr. Jing Tong Gastroenterology, we provide culturally sensitive, multilingual hepatitis care to the diverse Flushing community. Dr. Tong's Johns Hopkins training and decades of clinical experience ensure that patients receive the most current, evidence-based treatments available.
Transmission: Fecal-oral route, typically through contaminated food or water, or close contact with an infected person.
Course: Acute infection only; does NOT become chronic. Most patients recover fully within weeks to months. Can cause severe illness in older adults and those with pre-existing liver conditions.
Symptoms: Fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, clay-colored stool, low-grade fever. Some people, especially children, may have no symptoms.
Prevention & Treatment: Highly effective vaccine available (recommended for travelers to endemic areas). Treatment is supportive care; the body clears the virus on its own. Vaccination provides lifelong protection.
Transmission: Blood, sexual contact, and mother-to-child (perinatal) transmission. Perinatal transmission is the primary route in Asian populations, with 90% of infected infants developing chronic hepatitis B.
Course: Can be acute or chronic. Up to 90% of infants infected at birth develop chronic HBV, compared to less than 5% of adults. Chronic HBV carries a 25% risk of premature death from cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Screening: All Asian Americans, immigrants from endemic regions, pregnant women, and household contacts of HBV-positive individuals should be screened. Testing includes HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc.
Treatment: Antiviral medications (tenofovir, entecavir) can suppress viral replication and prevent liver damage. Regular monitoring of HBV DNA levels and liver function is essential. Patients with chronic HBV need lifelong surveillance for liver cancer.
Prevention: Highly effective 3-dose vaccine series available. Universal vaccination is recommended for all newborns. Unvaccinated adults should get vaccinated, especially those at risk.
Transmission: Primarily through blood-to-blood contact, including shared needles, contaminated medical equipment, blood transfusions before 1992, and rarely through sexual contact.
Course: About 75-85% of acute HCV infections become chronic. Chronic HCV is the leading cause of liver transplant in the United States. Without treatment, 15-30% of patients develop cirrhosis within 20 years.
Screening: The CDC recommends all adults aged 18-79 be screened at least once. Baby boomers (born 1945-1965) are at particularly high risk. Testing involves anti-HCV antibody followed by HCV RNA confirmation.
Treatment: Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications now cure over 95% of hepatitis C cases in just 8-12 weeks of oral therapy. Treatment is well-tolerated with minimal side effects. No vaccine currently exists for HCV.
Important: Many patients are unaware they have HCV because it often causes no symptoms for decades. Early detection and treatment prevent irreversible liver damage.
Transmission: Blood-to-blood contact, similar to hepatitis B. However, HDV can ONLY infect people who already have hepatitis B, as it requires the HBV surface antigen to replicate.
Course: HDV co-infection with HBV is the most severe form of viral hepatitis. It accelerates liver damage and increases the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer more rapidly than HBV alone. HDV affects approximately 5% of chronic HBV carriers worldwide.
Screening: All patients with chronic hepatitis B should be tested for HDV antibodies, especially those from endemic regions (Central Asia, the Mediterranean, parts of Africa and South America).
Treatment & Prevention: Treatment options include pegylated interferon-alpha and newer agents like bulevirtide. The most effective prevention is hepatitis B vaccination, which also prevents HDV infection.
Fellowship trained at Johns Hopkins with deep expertise in viral hepatitis management and the latest antiviral therapies.
Deep understanding of hepatitis B prevalence in the Asian community. Provides culturally appropriate screening and education.
Fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Complex hepatitis management explained clearly in your preferred language.
Regular viral load monitoring, liver cancer surveillance, and FibroScan assessments to track treatment progress.
Approximately 1 in 12 Asian Americans has chronic hepatitis B, often acquired at birth through mother-to-child transmission. Most people with chronic HBV have no symptoms but are at serious risk for cirrhosis and liver cancer. Early detection and treatment can be lifesaving.
Yes. Modern direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications cure hepatitis C in over 95% of patients. Treatment typically takes just 8-12 weeks of oral pills with minimal side effects. This is one of the greatest advances in modern medicine.
While chronic hepatitis B cannot yet be completely cured, antiviral medications can effectively suppress the virus to undetectable levels, prevent liver damage, and dramatically reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Lifelong monitoring is essential.
Absolutely. All household members, sexual partners, and children of people with hepatitis B should be tested. Uninfected family members should receive the hepatitis B vaccine. Our practice offers comprehensive family screening services.
Patients with chronic hepatitis B or C need regular monitoring every 3-6 months, including liver function tests, viral load testing, and liver cancer screening with ultrasound and AFP. The exact schedule depends on disease stage and treatment status.
Yes. Hepatitis B is NOT spread through sharing food, casual contact, hugging, kissing, coughing, or sneezing. It is transmitted only through blood, sexual contact, or from mother to baby at birth. There is no need to isolate people with hepatitis B socially.
Early detection saves lives. Schedule your hepatitis screening with Dr. Jing Tong.
