“EVERY LIFE SAVED BY TAKING STEPS TOWARD HEPATITIS, MATTERS”
“HEPATITIS” is majorly referred to as viral hepatitis which affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, causing acute and chronic liver disease and resulting in death of millions of people every year. Hepatitis majorly caused by different types of viruses results in inflammation of the liver and if remain untreated may lead to Cirrhosis of the Liver. Progressive liver cirrhosis leads to liver failure and ultimately death.
Hepatitis usually remains asymptomatic so people do not know they are infected. Only acute cases show symptoms which may appear from 2 weeks to 6 months after exposure. Symptoms of acute condition include: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, joint pain and jaundice. Symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis can take decades to develop (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), by the time symptoms are visible, liver is usually severely damaged.
There are five types of viruses of main concern for Hepatitis - A, B, C, D, and E virus. These 5 types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death caused by them, as well as the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread. Among these hepatitis B and C are of most significance, that is why often referred to as silent killers. These variants are transmitted through blood. World Hepatitis Day is observed on 28th July as it is the Birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg who discovered the Hepatitis B virus in 1965 & was awarded the noble prize in 1976.
While speaking about the Hepatitis-B virus (HBV), luckily introduction of vaccine against HBV infection is preventing the spread of the virus for many years now. According to the WHO data published in 2020, HBV Deaths in Bangladesh reached 1,121. That excludes unreported cases countrywide. “Although about 65% of our population lives in rural areas, people barely know about Hepatitis-B viral infection or what is hepatitis,” says Prof.Dr. Mohammad Ali, the surgeon who performed 1st successful liver transplant in Bangladesh.
The exact number of Hepatitis-B infected patients is still unknown, yet the good news is The Expert Panel for Verification of Hepatitis-B Control in WHO South-East Asia Region recommended verification of three countries including Bangladesh and their review says, childhood immunization data showed over 90% coverage with Hepatitis-B vaccine doses provided during infancy for the past many years in these countries.
All being said, viral hepatitis does not end at HBV prevention, Hepatitis-C (HCV) is another silent killer, not as aggressive as HBV variant. Alarming fact about that is, it remains undetected for years and slowly damages the liver. Most HCV patients find out they are infected when the liver is already being affected to a partial or complete irreversible stage. There is no vaccine invented for the HCV variant thus it still remains a public health threat that will keep damaging if proper awareness is not raised.
Raising awareness nationwide ultimately contributes to the betterment of the worldwide population. Looking at the severity of hepatitis it might seem scary. However, few simple steps taken by people can help to prevent and treat hepatitis if detected at an early stage.
· Vaccination
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· Introducing “Liver Function Tests” in regular health screening
· Maintaining healthy diet to prevent further damage of already affected liver
Let’s all keep our liver healthy by taking proper steps toward prevention and early treatment for Hepatitis. Awareness, prevention, screening, early detection and treatment plan all combined action can help us battle hepatitis and ultimately eradicate it from the world. Happy World Hepatitis Day 28th July, 2022.
Dr. Gitiara Nasrin, (Master of Medical Science, Malaysia & Public Health Researcher)
Assistant Manager -GD Assist Limited