"Hepatitis B is a disease caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) which infects the liver of hominoidae, including humans, and causes an inflammation called hepatitis. The acute illness causes liver inflammation, vomiting, jaundice and—rarely—death. Chronic hepatitis B may eventually cause liver cirrhosis and liver cancer—a fatal disease with very poor response to current chemotherapy. The infection is preventable by vaccination. Transmission of hepatitis B virus results from exposure to infectious blood or body fluids containing blood.
-from Wikipedia
I have never been afraid of this disease until I heard the bad news from a friend here in Dubai. :-( The health authority detected that he is infected by Hepa B. And according to the new UAE Law on 1st of July 2008, this is one of the deportable diseases ( others are HIV, TB, Hepa C & Syphilis). A medical test is required and performed before issuance of any residence visa (new/renewal). My friend transferred to another company thus, had his medical test for visa requirement. He was not aware that he had this disease. He's practicing a clean & healthy living. He exercises everyday. He constantly plays tennis. He regularly visit his doctors but his focus is more on his high blood and cholesterol level since these are the most common illness of his age. He's in his late forties.
What's saddening me is that he's been working here for more than 10 years. He was able to get his family from the Philippines and resides here. His children are also studying here. He had managed to settle his family here all this time. And one disease could & will change his life drastically. He's under the UAE immigration watchlist. He's supposed to be deported immediately but since UAE govt had 10-day holidays after the result of his medical, his deportation was moved to 1st working day after the holiday which is this coming Sunday. A blessing in disguise he told me for he had still time to say goodbye to his family & friends.
I am still in state of shock. He's like a father to me. I have a high regard of this man. Beside him being my previous boss, he's also my advisor in my career and life in general. He's an active preacher in a Christian organization while I am full pledge Roman Catholic. But this was never an issue to us. We respect each other's faith.
I strongly believe that he can surpass this trial in life. I pray that he & his family would be given continued strength in facing this challenge. As questioned by the priest today in the homily, "Is there anything that i can do?" I would answer, Yes. That is to pray and to make my friends & family aware of this disease.
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