A medical scientist has advised the public to be wary of the people they kiss. They could be infected with Hepatitis B. Mr Laud Anthony Bassing, of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi said like the deadly disease HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B could be transmitted through kissing and sexual intercourse. Addressing members of the Catholic Organisation for Social and Regional Advancement (COSRA) in Kumasi at the weekend, Mr. Bassing explained that the disease has all the characteristics of malaria and therefore makes early detection difficult. The health talk formed part of the activities marking the eighth biennial national games of the organisation on the theme: “COSRA @40, you are the vessel God wants to use to make a difference.” It was attended by over 600 delegates from 16 archdioceses and dioceses of the Catholic Church. "Even though Hepatitis B is as viral as AIDS," he said, "it is deadlier than AIDS and early treatment is critical." Indeed, he added, it can live outside the body for more than a week and can only be killed by an alcohol of more than 70 per cent concentration. He said unlike AIDS where one could live with the disease for more than a decade, in the case of the Hepatitis B, "one can live at most for six months after which the disease vanishes or you die from it." The symptoms include tiredness, diarrhoea and dizziness. It is, therefore advisable not only to seek early treatment but to test for Hepatitis when treating malaria. As in the case of AIDS, he advised the public to keep to the ABC of prevention namely abstinence, be faithful in relationship and condom use. In addition one must avoid using blades, tissues and handkerchiefs that have been used by others. Speaking at a thanksgiving mass to round off the four-day activities, the Vicar General of the Kumasi Archdiocese, Rev. Msgr. Douglas Peters, advised members of COSRA to take stock of their activities over the years and re-position the organisation to enable it achieve its objectives. Source: Times/Ghana