Half of HBV patients suffer discrimination
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-01-20 23:52

More than half of hepatitis B patients in China feel their lives have changed because of the disease, according to a report released by the China Medical Association, Wednesday.

Conducted among more than 400 hepatitis B patients in six Chinese cities, the report found that about 60 percent of the patients feel their life have changed after diagnosed of the disease. About 59 percent and 61 percent patients say the disease has had a bad influence on their relationships with their children and spouses.

"The disease has not only caused a lot of patients to lose work or study opportunities, but also brought negative impact to the overall social productivity," said Weng Xinhua, professor from Shanghai Huashan Hospital.

The report also shows that 47 percent hepatitis B patients fear that they would lose their jobs if they reveal their disease.

One-third of the patients surveyed did not know the cause of hepatitis B, and only 19 percent are receiving the right treatment, according to the report.

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