What is Hepatitis?
The liver inflammation known as hepatitis Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E are the five most common strains of the virus that causes liver disease. Chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and fatalities from viral hepatitis are all caused by hepatitis B and C, which affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
Hepatitis is often caused by hepatitis viruses, although it may also be brought on by other infections, toxic chemicals (such as alcohol or narcotics), and autoimmune illnesses.
Chronic hepatitis B and C can be found, treated, and prevented with treatments that have been shown to be effective and safe. However, most people with these diseases are misdiagnosed and don't get treatment. Many millions of individuals have chronic liver disease because of hepatitis B and C infections. They are responsible for almost all cases of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Prevention from Hepatitis A
The hepatitis A virus (HAV) causes hepatitis A, a vaccine-preventable liver ailment. Infected individuals have HAV in their feces and blood. Viral hepatitis A is very infectious.
It may be transferred by direct physical contact with an infected person or through the consumption of contaminated food or drink, even if only microscopic quantities are ingested.
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| via Wikipedia Commons |
People with hepatitis A are seldom afflicted with a long-term sickness. Getting vaccinated is the best way to avoid getting hepatitis A.
Prevention from Hepatitis B
When the hepatitis B virus (HBV) attacks the liver, it is a vaccine-preventable disease. When blood, semen, or other bodily fluids from an infected individual enter the body of an uninfected person, the virus is transmitted. Sexual contact; sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; or going from mother to child at birth are all ways in which this may occur. Not everyone who is newly infected with HBV has symptoms, but those who do may experience tiredness, low appetite, stomach discomfort, nausea, and jaundice.
Hepatitis B is a short-term infection for many individuals.
A chronic infection that persists for an extended period in certain people might progress to life-threatening conditions like cirrhosis or liver cancer. People who get hepatitis B as newborns are only 2%–6% more likely to get chronic hepatitis B than those who get it as adults. Getting vaccinated is the best way to avoid getting hepatitis B.
Prevention from Hepatitis C
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes hepatitis C, a liver disease. Contact with the blood of an infected individual spreads hepatitis C. Sharing needles or other equipment used to manufacture and inject drugs is the most common method of transmission of the hepatitis C virus today. More than half of people who get the hepatitis C virus develop a long-term, chronic infection. For other people, hepatitis C might be a short-term sickness.
Chronic hepatitis C may cause cirrhosis and liver cancer, both of which can be life-threatening.
Chronic hepatitis C sufferers are typically unaware of their condition and may not experience any symptoms.
| Structure of Hepatitis C Virus via Wikipedia Commons |
Symptoms are generally an indication of more advanced liver disease when they develop. Hepatitis C does not have a vaccine. The best approach to avoiding the spread of hepatitis C, particularly among injecting drugs, is to avoid these activities. Treatments for hepatitis C may cure most patients within 8 to 12 weeks, so being tested is critical.
Prevention from Hepatitis D
When the hepatitis D virus (HDV) infects the liver, it causes hepatitis D, commonly known as "delta hepatitis". Those infected with both hepatitis B and hepatitis D are more likely to develop hepatitis D. Blood or other bodily fluids from an infected individual enter the body of an uninfected person, which is how hepatitis D is transmitted.
Chronic hepatitis D may develop from an acute infection or a long-term one.
People who are infected with hepatitis D are at risk of developing life-long liver damage and perhaps death. It is possible for someone to be infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis D at the same time (known as "coinfection") or to have both diseases at once (known as "superinfection"). A vaccination for hepatitis D is not yet available. But when used to protect against hepatitis B, the hepatitis B vaccine also protects against hepatitis D.
Prevention from Hepatitis E
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes hepatitis E, a liver infection. An infected person's feces will include HEV. The virus may spread even in the tiniest quantities if someone ingests it unintentionally. Hepatitis E is most often spread by using water that has been tainted by the feces of infected individuals in impoverished nations. Raw or undercooked pork, venison, wild boar meat, or shellfish have been linked to cases of hepatitis E in the United States and other wealthy nations.
When hepatitis E infections were first discovered in affluent nations, they were almost always linked to recent travel to areas where the virus is widespread.
Hepatitis E may cause weariness, nausea, stomach discomfort, and yellowing of the skin. It's true that many people infected with hepatitis E do not show any symptoms. Most individuals recover completely from hepatitis E, except for those with impaired immune systems who may develop chronic hepatitis E. In the United States, there is presently no vaccination for hepatitis E.
World Hepatitis Day
World Hepatitis Day is on July 28. This is a time to increase national and international efforts to fight hepatitis, encourage people, organizations, and the public to take action, and bring attention to the urgent need for a more comprehensive global response, as outlined in the 2017 WHO Global Hepatitis Report.
Dr. Baruch Blumberg, a scientist who won the Nobel Prize, found the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). He also made a test and a vaccine for the virus.
To reach the global eradication goals by 2030, the most important thing is to have more testing and treatment options.
World Hepatitis Day 2022 Theme
The goal of this year's theme, "Bringing hepatitis care closer to you," is to bring attention to the need for bringing hepatitis care closer to communities and people wherever they may be by streamlining and bringing it to primary health facilities, community-based venues, and locations beyond hospital sites. For more information and further reading click here. Let us take a brief look over the types and causes of the 5 forms of Hepatitis.
Suggested Reading on Hepatitis Causes, Symptoms, and Cure
Safri's story may help in Hepatitis C treatment. For reading Safri's Story, click here.
There is Yap's story as well on his road to recovery.
How the Western Pacific is being affected by Hepatitis, this infographic based reading might keep you informed. Click here for an insight.
For pregnant women, these infographics will certainly help save lives of mothers and babies. Click here to know about issues of Hepatitis in pregnancy.
This reading might also help pregnant women as they are advised to get tested for HIV, Hepatitis, etc.
For both mother and child, this reading might also help.
These WHO videos will also benefit for further information.
For further information on Hepatitis prevention and cure click here.
How stopping Hepatitis helps curing liver cancer? A beneficial reading for all. Click here.
For reading global report on HIV, Hepatitis and other infectious diseases, click here.
For detailed insight on World Hepatitis Day, this website might help.
