Today is World Hepatitis Day.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates there are approximately 325 million people living with viral hepatitis, and the majority are unaware.
As a result, this year’s worldwide campaign is under the theme ‘Find The Missing Millions’ since about 80 per cent of those infected lack information on prevention, testing and treatment.
The virus, which was discovered by Nobel prize winner and scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg can be treated, and it will take about US $6 billion annually to achieve elimination targets by 2030.
Hepatitis is more deadly than the HIV virus. It targets and weakens the liver, and causes about 1.4 million deaths per year. It is the second major killer infectious disease after tuberculosis.
Types of Virus
Hepatitis A is spread via contaminated food or contact with a person who is infected. It is found in places where there is unsafe water and poor sanitary conditions.
Hepatitis B is mainly spread through transmission from mother to child during birth and delivery and contact with blood and other body fluids. It can also be spread during sexual activity and via infected needles, for example during tattooing and piercing. Heterosexuals who have sex with multiple partners or with sex workers, as well as men who have sex with other men are also at risk. There is no cure, but it can be treated.
Hepatitis C is spread from mother to child, via contaminated needles, or in the health care professional though ‘needle-stick’ incidents. It can be cured by a three-month vaccination treatment.
Hepatitis D: This form occurs as a type of super infection with Hepatitis B and is the most severe form of the virus because of the speed with which it progresses towards liver-related death and cancer.
Hepatitis E: Drinking contaminated water is the common way in which this form of the virus is spread. It is most generally found in East and South Asia.
Symptoms
Testing is the only way to determine if a person has been infected. Hepatitis is known as the silent killer and it can also cause complications in people who have other viral infections, like HIV. Symptoms include jaundice, fever, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, dark urine, loss of appetite and joint pains.
Source: World Health Organisation
