This Week in Virology TWiV Special: A shot of HepB with Thomas Tu
May 6, 2025
Thomas Tu, an associate professor at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research and HepB patient, shares his dual perspective on hepatitis B. He discusses his personal journey with the virus, highlighting emotional and societal challenges while emphasizing the importance of awareness and vaccination. Tu delves into the critical need for bridging research and clinical practice, advocating for increased funding in HepB research compared to HIV. His insights on community engagement and activism reveal the essential role patient voices play in enhancing healthcare approaches.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Personal HepB Diagnosis Drives Science
- Thomas Tu was diagnosed with hepatitis B at 15 and later pursued research in the field.
- His personal experience motivated his academic focus on viral hepatitis pathogenesis.
Isolation From HepB Stigma
- Hepatitis B diagnosis often feels isolating due to stigma and lifelong infection.
- Many unaware people suffer alone despite 300 million globally having chronic infection.
Silent Liver Damage by HepB
- Hepatitis B infection can be asymptomatic for decades while silently damaging the liver.
- Chronic inflammation develops as the immune system tries to control the persistent virus.