Hepatitis B overlooked by students

By Maryann Dakkak

The threat of hepatitis B is spreading among college campuses, and most students are unaware of the disease and whether or not they've been vaccinated.

"I don't know if I've gotten the hepatitis B vaccination. I know I've gotten the hepatitis something shot," senior Desiree Yang said.

About 300,000 new cases of hepatitis B are reported each year and about 75 percent of those cases affect people between the ages of 15 and 39, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They predict that living in close quarters, like a college dormitory, may increase the risk of exposure to carriers.

Hepatitis is contracted, much like HIV, through bodily fluid exchange. It's a virus that can be passed through sexual contact, body piercings or tattoos, sharing needles or razors, during contact sorts and other high-risk behaviors.

According to Harold S. Margolis, M.D., chief of Hepatitis Branch at the National Center of Infectious Diseases, "Hepatitis B is approximately 100 times more contagious than HIV."

Researchers at the South Florida College of Medicine reported that less than 20 percent of students countrywide have gotten the vaccine for hepatitis B.

Santa Clara, however, seems to be largely unaffected by these growing numbers.

"My guess is that at least 70 to 80 percent of students have received the hepatitis B vaccine," said Lauren Salaices M.D. at Cowell Health Center. "In the past we required entering students to be vaccinated, but currently it is simply a recommendation."

Out of 100 randomly pulled charts at Cowell Health Center, 97 students had been vaccinated for Hepatitis B. Neither the Wellness Center nor Cowell are too greatly concerned about hepatitis B on campus.

"The Wellness Center is not currently planning any outreach on this topic, but the possibility for outreach and education in the future is definitely a possibility," said Jeanne Zeamba, Psy.D., and health educator at the Wellness Center.

According to the CDC, people emigrating from third world countries or visiting third world countries have higher risk of hepatitis B.

"I think the demographics of the school makes a big difference on the incidence of hepatitis B. I suspect South Florida is probably a public school with a large number of immigrants from third world countries, who are less likely to have been vaccinated, and may be less educated about the importance of disease prevention," Salaices said. "Our school is private, plus a lot of students come from California, which requires that all students be vaccinated for hepatitis B before they can start junior high [a requirement for the past five years].

Salaices continued, "the international students at Santa Clara tend to be from higher socioeconomic groups and educated families."

Not only does the school's demographics make it less likely for there to be a hepatitis B problem on campus, but students here are less likely to participate in risky behavior that can lead to hepatitis B infection.

"Generally the students at Santa Clara are not at high risk for hepatitis B because of their personal habits. I have never met a student who has used IV drugs and the sexual partners of students are generally low risk partners," Salaices said.

Although Santa Clara is not experiencing a problem with hepatitis B, students are concerned about the lack of knowledge they hold on the issue.

"Hearing about hepatitis is scary," junior Chris Lanzon said. "Now I want to make sure I have those shots."

Cowell offers both hepatitis A and B vaccines.

"It is an individual decision to get the vaccine. Anyone who is sexually active should certainly receive it, as should someone planning on a health career," Salaices said.