World Hepatitis Day is on 28th July. This is the day when the whole world comes together to spread awareness regarding the disorder. This is because there are 400 million people with hepatitis globally. Not just that, it stands at number 8 in the list of diseases with high mortality rates.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The liver is responsible for a set of very important functions-
And when you get Hepatitis, your liver has trouble carrying out its duties.
In 2023 the theme is ‘We’re not waiting. On World Hepatitis Day, 28 July, we call on people around the world to take action because Hepatitis Can’t Wait. WHD is a day for the world’s hepatitis community to unite and make our voices heard. I advise everyone to get tested atleast once a year.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka – MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)
There are 5 Hepatitis types– A, B, C, D, and E. Each is triggered by a different kind of virus.
Hepatitis A is caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). It is not a dangerous disease and does not last long. You may get this illness if you consume food or water that contains the faecal matter from a person infected with Hepatitis A.
This disease is triggered by the Hepatitis B Virus. It can be transmitted to you if you come in contact with bodily fluids of an infected person such as blood, semen or vaginal fluids. Sharing razors or syringes with a person with Hepatitis B can also give you this disorder.
Hepatitis B is more dangerous than Hepatitis A and lasts longer. In India, nearly 40 million people have been diagnosed with this type of Hepatitis.
A person may e a carrier of hepatitis and may not even know. Therefore, one should be mindful of activities that involve exposure to bodily fluids and get tested when in doubt of exposure.
Dr. Arpit Verma, MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
Hepatitis C is the result of an infection caused by the Hepatitis C Virus or HCV. It is transmitted when you have sexual contact with a person diagnosed with Hepatitis C or if you use the same syringe. It affects 6-12 million people in India.
This is triggered by the Hepatitis D Virus (HDV). It is the rarest kind of Hepatitis and always is accompanied by Hepatitis B. The only way you can contract Hepatitis D is through contact with infected blood.
Hepatitis E Virus causes this form of Hepatitis and it is water-born. That is why the disease is especially common in those regions of the world where sanitation is inadequate.
Hepatitis can sometimes be a result of an autoimmune response. Your immune system might see your liver as a threat and start attacking it. This will make your liver swell up.
Hepatitis if encountered in pregnancy won’t hurt your unborn baby or affect your pregnancy. If your doctor knows you have it, they can help you manage it during your pregnancy to lower the chances of any long-term liver disease for you and your baby, although Hepatitis B and D carry higher health risks.
Dr Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
There are a few signs that will indicate that you have a case of acute Hepatitis-
A Hepatitis Screening Panel can tell you if you have contracted any of the five types of Hepatitis.
Hepatitis treatment is easily available-
On World Hepatitis Day you can pledge to adopt measures that will prevent Hepatitis. Maintain personal hygiene, keep an eye on the food and water you are consuming, do not share needles or razors or toothbrushes and use protection during sex. Don’t forget to vaccinate your children, loved ones and yourself. Together we can make the world free of Hepatitis.
Also Read: What is Cirrhosis of the Liver: An In-Depth Look at Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Knowing everything about hepatitis before dealing with it is important. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis infections are caused by viruses that enter the body through different routes and attack the liver, which acts as a filtering unit within the body. When hepatitis contaminates this vital organ, the liver cannot do its job and toxins accumulate. Also, the liver is responsible for clotting factors, and infection impairs this function. Read everything about hepatitis and know the crucial:
Types of Hepatitis
There are five different types of hepatitis: A, B, C, D, and E.
One of the more common causes of acute hepatitis is hepatitis A virus (HAV), which was isolated by Purcell in 1973. Humans appear to be the only reservoir for this virus. Infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV), an enterovirus transmitted principally through person-to-person contact, and also through food and water contaminated with fecal matter from an infected individual. Eating shellfish taken from impure water is another known route of infection. Symptoms of Hepatitis A typically improve within three weeks, but can linger for several months.
Hepatitis B is a contagious liver disease that ranges in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, life long illness. Hepatitis B can be either acute or chronic. In chronic stage, the liver disease can progress and cause cirrhosis requiring liver transplantation. Some patients with cirrhosis develop liver cancer too. Many people with chronic Hepatitis B virus infection do not know they are infected since they do not feel or look sick. However, they can still spread the virus to others and are at risk of serious health problems themselves. Treatment for these cases includes medications such as antivirals and in severe cases a liver transplant may be needed.
The hepatitis C virus was discovered in 1989. Prior to that, it was associated with blood transfusions, but was called non-A, non-B hepatitis because the virus could not be identified. It is now known that there are several hereditary types of the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C can remain asymptomatic for decades. If left unchecked, 20–25% of infected individuals will develop cirrhosis of the liver, 3–5% of whom will develop liver cancer each year. Of the infected population, 50–60% remain undiagnosed and unaware of the risks associated with the disease.
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is found only in people who carry the hepatitis B virus. HDV may make liver disease worse in people who have either recent or long-term hepatitis B. It can even cause symptoms in people who carry hepatitis B virus but who never had symptoms. No vaccine is available for HDV, but the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination is effective against HDV.
It tends to be similar to hepatitis A because it’s not a persistent disease – it eventually leaves your system. Hepatitis E is more pervasive in countries with poor sanitary conditions, and it can be deadly to pregnant women. Like the other types of viral hepatitis, hepatitis E causes engorgement and inflammation of your liver.
Symptoms of Hepatitis
The most important branch of knowing everything about hepatitis is its symptoms. At first, chronic hepatitis often does not cause any symptoms. People with symptoms most commonly complain of exhaustion. Fatigue worsens throughout the day and may even be debilitating. Other common symptoms include:
If chronic hepatitis becomes more relentless, people may experience additional symptoms, including:
Testing for Hepatitis
A hepatitis blood test screens an individual’s blood for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C antibodies. If there are hepatitis antibodies in an individual’s blood, his or her immune system is either currently combating a hepatitis infection or has fought the infection in the past. Due to the dependence of HDV on HBV, the presence of HBsAg is necessary for the diagnosis of HDV infection. Acute HEV infection is usually diagnosed by detecting specific anti-HEV antibodies (IgM and IgG). Analysis of HEV RNA in biologic specimens such as stools, serum, and liver biopsy using NATs is also used for diagnosis. Keeping oneself informed in knowing Everything about Hepatitis is the first step towards avoiding it.
Also Read: What is Cirrhosis of the Liver: An In-Depth Look at Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
