What is Viral Hepatitis?
Hepatitis means viral infection of Liver. Liver is the largest organ in the body with thousands of essential vital functions for the life to sustain.
There are 2 types of viruses which can cause long standing liver damage and cancer- Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
Approximately 50 million people in India have Hepatitis B / C.
It is very infectious – 100 times more infectious than HIV.
Prevalence:
The World Health Organization estimates that one third of the world’s population has been infected at some time and that there are approximately 350 million who are infected long term.
Mode of spread:
From blood or body fluids( saliva, semen and vaginal fluid)of the infected person through following routes:
- An open wound, contaminated needle.
- Tattoo, body-piercing or acupuncture with unsterile needle. Improperly sterilized surgical and dental equipments.
- The virus can survive outside the body for at least a week. Hence you should take care not to share items such as a razor or toothbrush which might be contaminated.
- By having penetrative sex without a condom with an infected person.
- Mother to baby transmission can happen during delivery, if mother is already infected with Hepatitis virus.
- Small traces found in sweat, tears, breast milk and urine are generally not regarded as infectious.
- You may be at risk of hepatitis viral infection if:
- You come in contact with other peoples blood/body fluids.
- Sewage workers, emergency services, and contact sports
- Foster carers and carers for severe learning disabilities.
- Prison staff and prison inmates
- Patients who need repeated blood transfusions and dialysis.
It doesn’t spread by shaking hands, hugging or even kissing an infected person.
Symptoms
Vast majority of infected patients may not show any symptoms early on during the disease. Only when 60-70% of liver is damaged, people may notice tiredness, swelling of the belly and legs, Jaundice, weight loss, itching and stomach pain. Hence, it is strongly recommended to get tested for Hepatitis B and take appropriate preventive measures to avoid liver disease.
Complications of viral hepatitis B & C:
Cirrhosis of liver (irreversible liver damage)
Liver failure
Liver cancer
Kidney related complications
Cirrhosis
This is usually the result of long-term, continuous damage to the liver. Irregular bumps replace the smooth liver tissue and the liver becomes harder. This can lead to accumulation of water in the belly, weight loss, jaundice, tiredness, complete liver failure, which can be fatal without a liver transplant.
What are the diagnostic tests?
- Blood tests to detect the infection and liver damage
- Ultrasound scan
- Liver biopsy in some cases
Prevention:
Vaccination
If you are negative for hepatitis B, you can get vaccinated. This has got more than 95% protection rate in healthy individuals. This will effectively prevent the hepatitis B infection. Vaccineconsists of ‘inactivated’ form of hepatitis B. It is generally a safe vaccine. It is also the first vaccine against a human cancer (hepatocellular cancer).
3 injections are required at 0, 1 & 6 months interval.
Booster injection should be given five years after the initial injection. Sometimes need to check the response to vaccination.
Who should have the hepatitis B vaccination?
- Babies born to infected mothers
- Close contacts of infected people.
- Regular receivers of blood transfusion or blood products and dialysis.
- People with any form of liver disease
- People traveling to countries with high prevalence of hepatitis B
- Injecting drug users
- Sex workers
Risky occupations mentioned above
After exposure to the virus (before vaccination):
Anyone who has been exposed to the virus should see doctor and usually be given an injection of antibodies called immunoglobulin (HBIG) immediately, as well as the vaccine.
Babies born to infected mothers also receive the same treatment, which will prevent hepatitis B.
HEPATITIS C:
Mode of spread and complications are similar to Hepatitis B. There is no vaccination for Hepatitis C.
Now there is cure available for Hepatitis C viral infection which can permanently clear the Hepatitis C virus from the blood and prevent Liver damage. Treatment is usually in the form of a single tablet taken daily for about 3 months.
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