Know Hepatitis To NO Hepatitis
The liver is the largest internal organ of our body, weighing about 1.5 kilograms in adults.
It is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdomen and is responsible for processing nutrients, filtering the blood, and fighting infections. Thus, any injury to the liver if goes unchecked can pose a threat to our lives. Unfortunately, people are sensitised regarding diseases of the heart, brain and kidney, but little do they know about diseases of the liver and ways to prevent them.
What is Hepatitis?
Any inflammation or swelling of the liver is called Hepatitis. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, diabetes, obesity and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. Hepatitis is often caused by a virus, which we call as Viral Hepatitis. There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. These 5 types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread. Viral hepatitis is a cause for major health care burden in India and is now equated as a threat comparable to the “big three” communicable diseases – HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
What are the types of Viral Hepatitis?
Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E are short term infections and are called as acute viral hepatitis. These infections are predominantly spread via the faecal-oral route and are closely associated with poor sanitary and bad hygienic conditions. In India, every year during monsoons, there is a sudden spate in cases of Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E. HAV infection is common during childhood in developing countries like India, whereas Hepatitis E is more common in the adult population. Infections are in many cases mild, with most people making a full recovery and remaining immune from further infections. However, hepatitis with these viruses can also be severe and life-threatening, when it leads to acute liver failure (ALF). It is observed that pregnant women have a higher likelihood to get infected with Hepatitis E and have a higher propensity to develop ALF. Thus, whenever one gets hepatitis, he/she should contact a liver specialist and not resort to desi nuskhas.
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, on the other hand, are transmitted through exposure to infective blood, semen, and other body fluids. Transmission may occur through transfusions of contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use. These viruses also pose a risk to healthcare workers who sustain accidental needle stick injuries while caring for infected patients. Hepatitis B can also be transmitted from sex with an infected person and birth to an infected mother. Both Hepatitis B and C are chronic infections that may not show symptoms for years or decades. When they start showing symptoms, they already have chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, liver failure or cancer. Hepatitis B is the second most common carcinogen after tobacco, in man. Hepatitis is preventable, treatable, and in the case of hepatitis C, curable. However, over 80% of people living with hepatitis are lacking prevention, testing and treatment services.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis?
Signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis appear quickly. They include fatigue, flu-like symptoms, dark urine, pale stool, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and yellow skin and eyes, which may be signs of jaundice. Chronic hepatitis develops slowly, so these signs and symptoms may be too subtle to notice.
Myths regarding Hepatitis
Hepatitis is cured in most cases by itself if it is acute and thus requires supportive care as advised by your doctor. You should not try local tactics to control jaundice, which in many cases may harm you. There is no dietary restriction and no need of taking boiled food only. There is no help in taking extra sugar in the form of sugarcane juice. Also, you should not stop taking yellow food products, particularly turmeric in your diet.
There are many stigmas attached to hepatitis B and C. These viruses spread only by contact with infected body fluids and not by touching, staying together in a home or working in the same office.
How can we prevent Viral Hepatitis?
Hepatitis A and E can be prevented by improving the sanitary conditions and provision of safe, clean drinking water. Simple methods like maintaining proper hand hygiene is an effective method to curtail the virus. Care should be taken to avoid eating any raw or cut fruits and undercooked vegetables or nonveg products. Vaccines are available for Hepatitis A, of which two doses are recommended to be given 6 months apart to children aged 1 year or older.
The preventive strategy of Hepatitis B and C infection should include a vigilant screening of blood and blood products, routine testing of tissue and organ donors and routine screening of pregnant mothers. Hepatitis B, C, and D contracted through contaminated blood can be prevented by not sharing drug needles, razors or toothbrushes. Adequate education regarding the usage of barrier contraceptives (e.g. condoms) and safe sexual practices need to be provided. A lot of emphasis needs to be laid on screening the high-risk group of patients which include those who receive blood transfusions (patients with thalassemia major), subjects actively involved in intravenous drug use (IVDU), tattooing, acupuncture and health care workers (HCWs). Vaccines for Hepatitis B are available in India and should be administered to everyone at a dosing schedule of 0, 1 and 6 months. As hepatitis infections increase rapidly among people, timely testing and treatment must be ensured.
Viral hepatitis is affecting 325 million people globally. Let us fight for a world free from viral hepatitis.
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