By Osei Yaw Gabriel (11/8/21)
World hepatitis day is observed every year to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and hepatocellular cancer. The World Health Organization theme for this years’ hepatitis day is “Hepatitis can’t wait”. Averagely a person dies every 30seconds from a hepatitis-related illness. People are dying daily from hepatitis in this COVID-19 crisis. There are five main strains of hepatitis virus- A, B, C, D, and E.
Hepatitis B and C are the most common, resulting in 1.1 million deaths and 3 million new infections per year.
About 400,000 people are receiving treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Around 10% of people with chronic infection with hepatitis B virus are diagnosed, and 22% receive treatment. Also, 42% of children globally have access to the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine.
Hepatitis B viral infection is a serious global healthcare problem. It is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is transmitted by body fluids like semen, vaginal discharge, and blood. Ninety-five percent of people infected by the hepatitis B virus can clear it spontaneously with medications.
Initial symptoms are nonspecific and may include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and jaundice. In case of severe liver damage, patients may develop jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, and gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to oesophageal varices, coagulopathy, or infections. Diagnosis is based on a serologic blood test in patients with suspected signs and symptoms and associated risk factors for viral hepatitis.
Hepatitis C primary prevention is difficult because there’s no vaccine available. Although the blood transmission of HCV has been virtually eliminated by the effective serological screening of blood donors. Parenteral substance abuse continues to be the major source of ongoing transmission.
Hepatitis B primary prevention is possible because of the hepatitis B vaccines available. It is important to vaccinate as many people as possible to eradicate hepatitis B viral infections.
Constant education and awareness creation are very important in dealing with hepatitis. Various governments should make policies in ensuring the vaccination of their citizens against hepatitis B and provide good medicines for treating hepatitis.
Conclusion
Hepatitis A, B, or C virus and with less frequent infections caused by Hepatitis D and E virus. Catching any of these viruses worldwide can lead to viral hepatitis, which is accompanied by a wide different range of symptoms according to the virus implicated. Some of these infections are accompanied by mild and virtually inconceivable symptoms, but other symptoms may lead to liver breakdown, coma, and death, hepatitis accordingly is a risky worldwide disease with their different type’s viruses
References
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• (2017) World Health Organization. Hepatitis C. 164.
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• (2017) World Health Organization. Hepatitis D.22. Sultanik P, Pol S (2016) Hepatitis delta virus: epidemiology, natural course and treatment. J Infect Dis Ther 34(271)
• (2017) World Health Organization. Hepatitis E. 280.
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