World Hepatitis Day: Know Causes, Symptoms And Prevention

New Delhi: The date July 28 was chosen as World Hepatitis Day because it is the birthday of Nobel-prize-winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and can cause mild as well as severe symptoms depending on the type. There are five types of Hepatitis – Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D, and Hepatitis E. They all are contracted differently, and some types can be more dangerous than others. According to WHO, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can cause chronic disease, permanent damage to life, and even death. Common signs of Hepatitis are upper abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, weakness, loss of appetite, loose motions, and jaundice among others. Around 354 million people around the world live with Hepatitis B or C.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can cause both acute and chronic liver disease. It can even be fatal as it raises one’s risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. The infection can spread through infected body fluids like blood, saliva, vaginal fluids, and semen. Newborns are given the vaccine to protect against the infection at the time of birth, followed up by a vaccine a few weeks later.

Hepatitis C virus is a bloodborne virus and can be transmitted via blood transfusion, reuse of inadequate sterilization of medical equipment, especially syringes and needles, sharing of injection equipment. It can pass from an infected mother to her baby or sexual practices that lead to exposure to blood.

“Both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are viral infections which are transmitted either sexually or through contact with blood/bodily fluids of an infected person. Sometimes there can be co-infection also. Despite having a vaccine, Hepatitis B infection is more common worldwide as compared to Hepatitis C. The Hepatitis B virus is also approximately 5-10 times more infectious than Hepatitis C. Hepatitis B most of the times gets cleared by the body without any medication, but if it becomes chronic, there is no clear-cut cure for it. Hepatitis C can be cured with an antiviral pill if it is detected in the early stages of the disease. Both the viruses can cause liver damage, cirrhosis and liver cancer in the long run,” says Dr Tushar Tayal, Consultant- Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

He further told the publication how to prevent Hepatitis infection:

• During sexual intercourse with a person of unknown medical status, always use a physical contraceptive.
• Never share needles.
• Always undergo a medical procedure from a registered doctor and hospital only.
• Blood should always be procured from a registered blood bank in case of need for blood transfusion.
• Ensure that your barber should sterilise his instruments prior to a shave.
• Avoid getting tattoos from unregistered vendors.
• Hepatitis B vaccine should be taken by everyone to prevent chances of infection.
• Exercise regularly to keep your liver healthy.