by Dr. Rainier Dennis D. Bautista
He was in his early 50s, a quiet man who came to my clinic after putting off doctor visits for years. He worked two jobs, rarely took sick days, and appeared strong and healthy. He told me he rarely felt ill.
But when we ran routine blood work, the results revealed something he never expected: he had been living with chronic hepatitis B since childhood.
His liver was already showing signs of damage. The virus had been silently attacking his body for decades, without a single warning sign.
His story is not rare. Many Filipinos in Hawai‘i are living with hepatitis B without knowing it. About 6% of Filipinos here carry the infection, a number more than ten times the national average.
When we talk about the health of Hawai‘i’s Filipino community, we often focus on high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease. Yet hepatitis B remains in the shadows, even though it is a leading cause of liver cancer, one of the deadliest cancers in our state.
How It Spreads
One of the biggest misconceptions is that hepatitis B is mainly a sexually transmitted infection. That stigma has led to silence and fear.
In reality, most Filipinos living with the virus today were infected at birth or during childhood.
In the Philippines, where hepatitis B is common, many mothers unknowingly pass it to their babies. Children may also acquire it in the household through shared razors, toothbrushes, or small cuts.
It does not spread through hugging, sharing meals, coughing, or mosquito bites. It is passed through blood and body fluids, often in ways no one could control.
Why It’s Dangerous
Hepatitis B can remain hidden for decades while steadily injuring the liver. Without treatment, it can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or cancer. The tragedy is that many patients feel well until the disease is far advanced. Just like this man, who never imagined he was at risk.
What You Can Do
A simple blood test can reveal your hepatitis B status. It shows whether you are immune, still at risk and need vaccination, or living with the infection and needing medical care. For many people, testing is covered by insurance or offered at low cost.
If you are unprotected, the hepatitis B vaccine can prevent infection. The series of three shots over six months is safe, highly effective, and given to millions worldwide. For those already infected, modern medications can keep the virus under control, protect the liver, and allow for long, healthy lives. The earlier it is discovered, the better the outcome.
Breaking the Silence
Too many in our community avoid talking about hepatitis B because of stigma. But this is not a shameful condition. It is not a punishment. For many, it is an infection inherited in childhood, through no fault of their own. Silence only allows the disease to spread further.
If you are pregnant, make sure your newborn receives the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. If you or your parents were born in the Philippines, ask your doctor about testing, even if you were vaccinated later in life. And if someone in your household has hepatitis B, every family member should be tested.
A Community Response
In Filipino culture, we believe in bayanihan—lifting one another. That spirit is exactly what we need to protect our families from hepatitis B. Talk about it. Share the facts. Encourage your loved ones to get tested and vaccinated.
The man I described at the beginning of this story is now under treatment. With the right care, his liver is being monitored, his virus is controlled, and he has hope for the future. His life is a reminder that hepatitis B doesn’t have to remain hidden.
With knowledge, compassion, and timely medical care, we can protect ourselves and safeguard future generations.
Together, one conversation, one test, and one vaccine at a time, we can make a lasting difference.
DR. RAINIER DENNIS D. BAUTISTA is a Board-Certified Family physician in Hawai‘i, where he serves as a Clinical Professor at the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine and President of the Philippine Medical Association of Hawai‘i. He is dedicated to advancing community health, mentoring future physicians, and addressing healthcare disparities in diverse populations.
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