Raising Awareness About Hepatitis B Through Personal Experience
Victor Chen’s Journey With a Silent Infection
Victor Chen, a 32‑year‑old public relations professional living in Toronto, has carried hepatitis B since birth. He moved from Taiwan to Canada in 2012 to pursue university studies and later built a career in healthcare communications.
He explains that, although many people recognize the term hepatitis B, they often lack a deeper understanding of the condition and its seriousness if left undetected or untreated.
What It Means to Live Normally With Hepatitis B
“I lead a completely normal life,” Victor says, emphasizing that he does not hide his diagnosis. He clarifies that the virus is not active in his body and is not contagious through everyday interactions.
To keep his liver healthy, he avoids or limits alcohol, stays active with regular exercise, and maintains a balanced diet—key habits for anyone managing a chronic illness.
How Hepatitis B Is Transmitted
The virus spreads through direct contact with semen, other body fluids, or infected blood, such as sharing needles or syringes. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth, a transmission route that remains common in regions like Taiwan and China where hepatitis B prevalence is high.
The Importance of Vaccination and Monitoring
Health officials provide a free hepatitis B vaccine to infants as part of routine immunizations. For those already living with the infection, regular liver function monitoring helps detect any changes early, allowing timely treatment and reducing the risk of cirrhosis or liver cancer.
