WORLD HEPATITIS DAY: This is HEPATITIS: ‘Know it, confront it’

Every 28 July, WHO and partners World over observe the World Hepatitis Day to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis aid its causes.

Hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E can cause acute and chronic infection and inflammation of the liver that can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. These viruses constitute a major global health risk with around 240

million people being chronically infected with hepatitis B

and around 150 million people chronically infected with hepatitis C.

Objectives

WHO World Hepatitis Day is marked to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes. It provides an opportunity to focus on specific actions such as:

·       strengthening prevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases;

·       increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage and integration into national immunization programmes; and

·      Coordinating a global response to hepatitis.

 

The burden

Hepatitis B is one of the most common viral infections in the world and the WHO estimates that two billion

people have been infected with the hepatitis B virus and

approximately 350 million people are living with chronic

(lifelong) infections. 500,000 – 700,000 people die every year from hepatitis B.

The hepatitis B virus is highly infectious and about 50-

100 times more infectious than HIV. In nine out of ten

adults, acute hepatitis B infection will go away on its

own in the first six months.

However, if the virus becomes chronic, it may cause liver cirrhosis and liver cancer after up to 40 years, but in some cases as little as five years after diagnosis.

 

Viral Hepatitis - Overview

Together hepatitis B and C represent one of the major threats to global health. Hepatitis B and C are both

‘silent’ viruses, and because many people feel no symptoms, you could be infected for years without knowing it.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids (i.e. saliva, semen and vaginal fluid) of an infected person. Please note that it is very unlikely it can be contracted through kissing or sharing cutlery. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread through direct contact with infected blood. Very rarely it may be passed on through other body fluids.

·       Blood transfusions and blood products using unscreened blood (in most countries, but not all, blood has been screened since about 1990)

·       Medical or dental interventions without adequate sterilization of equipment

·       Mother to infant during childbirth

·       Sharing equipment for injecting drugs

·       Sharing straws, notes etc. for snorting cocaine

·       Sharing razors, toothbrushes or other household articles

·       Tattooing and body piercing if done using unsterilized equipment

·       Having unprotected sex with an infected person.

Early symptoms may include:

·       Loss of appetite

·       Fatigue

·       Fever, low-grade

·       Muscle and joint aches

·       Nausea and vomiting

·       Yellow skin and dark urine due to jaundice

Diagnosis

The following tests  are  done  to  identify and  monitor liver damage from hepatitis B:

·       Albumin level

·       Liver function tests

·       Prothrombin time

 

Symptoms

After  you  first  become  infected  with  the  hepatitis  B

virus:

·      You may have no symptoms

·       You may feel sick for a period of  days  or weeks

·       You may become very ill (called  fulminant hepatitis)

  

 Prevention

·      All infants should receive their first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, and complete the series   of   three   shots   by   age   6   months. Children younger than  age 19 who have not been  vaccinated   should  receive  "catch-up" doses.

·      People who are at high risk, including  health care   workers   and   those   who    live   with someone who has hepatitis B  should get the hepatitis B vaccine.

·      Infants born to mothers who either  currently have acute hepatitis B, or who  have had the infection should receive a  special vaccination that includes hepatitis B immune globulin and a hepatitis B immunization within 12 hours of birth.

·      Screening  of  all  donated  blood  has  reduced the chance of getting hepatitis B from a blood

transfusion.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if:

·       You develop symptoms of hepatitis B

·       Hepatitis B symptoms do not go away  in 2 or 3 weeks, or new symptoms develop

·       You belong to a high-risk group for hepatitis B   and   have   not   yet   received   the   HBV vaccine.

Source:  THT HEALTH BULLETIN-THE WORLD HEPATITIS DAY