World Hepatitis Day: Save and protect your Liver

World Health Organisation (WHO) observes World Hepatitis Day on July 28, every year to create awareness about the infectious disease among people. Its current global campaign aims to eliminate the infectious disease by 2030. Hepatitis kills about 1.4 million people every year worldwide and affects about hundreds of millions. The disease may present itself in the form of acute or chronic infection if not diagnosed in its earlier stage. There are no distinct symptoms in the early stages. The infection can go unobserved for years, and many people do not know they are infected until much later. This makes spreading awareness all the more important.

What is Hepatitis actually?

The liver has vital function of processing nutrients, filtering the blood and fighting infections in the body. “Hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver. When the liver is inflamed, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is most often caused by a virus. There are five main hepatitis viruses – A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis A and E are short-term, while B and C may become chronic. Hepatitis D occurs only in those patients who are infected with Hepatitis B.

How would you know if you have Hepatitis ?

The only way to know if you have Hepatitis B is to get tested.

Hepatitis A and E

The most common types of infection found in India, South-Asian and African countries are Hepatitis A and E. Caused by HAV and HEV viruses respectively, Hepatitis A and E are transmitted through contaminated food and water. The infections caused by HAV and HEV are self-limiting and are 100% curable. The patient may experience flu-like symptoms.

Hepatitis B, D and C

HBV, HCV and HDV spread from infected person to another through blood and body fluids. The infection can also be vertical - spreading from mother to child at the time of birth. The viruses may also spread through blood transfusion, contaminated needles, unsterilised tattoo needles and razors.

When a person is infected by HBV, his/her immune system may fight against the foreign body and may clear them from the body within 6 months. But if this does not happen within six months, then the infection becomes chronic. The patient becomes a carrier of the viruses and  may pass on the infection to others through blood or body fluid.

These viruses are like silent killers. For instance, HCV remain dormant in the system for 10 to 15 years and start to impair the liver in the later stages

The hepatitis B virus may or may not cause symptoms. One third of the infected people get jaundice. Chronic hepatitis B is treated with antiviral medications, which limits the damage done to the liver.

But the good news about Hepatitis B is the availability of vaccine. Children are administered vaccination in three dosages and it can be administered to people of any age. HCV can completely be eradicated from the system through treatment.

Symptoms:

The damage occurs in stages. Many people with Hepatitis B do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. If symptoms occur, they can include: fever, feeling tired, lack of appetite, upset stomach, dark urine, grey-colored stool, joint pain, pains over the liver, and jaundice.

The next stage is fibrosis when scar tissue starts to build up. This later develops into cirrhosis, when the scarring takes over most of the liver. Liver failure and liver cancer are the advanced stages of the infection.

How is Hepatitis B treated?

There is treatment available at every stage of the infection. For those with acute Hepatitis, doctors usually recommend rest, adequate nutrition, fluids, and close medical monitoring. Some people may need to be hospitalized

How to prevent Hepatitis ?

·         Getting vaccinated against hepatitis B

·       Adopting hygiene practices. Washing your hands before eating food and after using the toilet

·         Avoid excessive intake of alcohol

·         Avoiding road-side eateries

·         Ensuring the food and water you consume are contamination-free

·         Ensuring the use of safe needles and razors in tattoo parlours and salons

·         Ensuring safe blood transfusion

·         Getting a screening done for hepatitis regularly

This World Hepatitis day take an oath to prevent your liver from this infectious disease and let’s take a step forward in this mission of eradicating Hepatitis by 2030.

References:

www.cdc.gov/hepatitis