World Hepatitis Day 2020: Things Necessary To Know

Each year 28 July is commemorated as World Hepatitis Day. The day is celebrated to mark the birthday of scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg who discovered the hepatitis B virus. He likewise won a Nobel-prize for his disclosure and for creating demonstrative tests and vaccine for the virus.

The World Health Organisation describes Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances, and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis.

"This year's World Hepatitis Day will be important not only because it is a viral infection that damages the liver and has a sizeable burden in India, but also because in the wake of COVID-19-induced pandemic, having hepatitis (either manifested or silent) can significantly increase the morbidity and mortality. Besides, someone who has recovered from COVID but has hepatitis is not eligible to donate their plasma that can help existing patients. Due to a lack of awareness and testing for hepatitis, not all those who have this disease are aware of their status," said Kamal Narayan Omer, CEO, Integrated Health and Wellbeing (IHW) Council

He further added, "Hepatitis C patients in India are five times higher than HIV/AIDS patients and this particular strain is 10 times more infectious through blood-to-blood contact than the virus that causes AIDS. The mandatory screening introduced in 2001 helped only partially as a lack of adequate screening cover for thousands of people lowers their access to know their hepatitis status and seek treatment. Government programs such as the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) aims to improve access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatment for patients and all those who are at risk, but efforts by Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences through their campaign ‘Empowering People Against Hepatitis’ (EMPATHY) has rallied people, practitioners, and policymakers alike for spreading awareness on this disease. It shows that efforts by private entities are crucial to supplement government's efforts and more entities should come forward to join this movement against hepatitis".

World Hepatitis Day is acknowledged to spread understanding about the hepatitis infection. The virus affects the liver and causes aggravation. This along these lines prompts other intricacies including liver disease.

There are five primary kinds of the hepatitis infection, specifically A, B, C, D and E. But amongst them, B and C are the most dangerous and consolidated together they guarantee over around 1.3 million passings every year as indicated by WHO reports. In any event, during the current coronavirus pandemic, the hepatitis virus is additionally adding to the mortality tally of the world.

Consistently WHO assigns a specific topic for World Hepatitis Day to help spread awareness about the different factors involved with this ailment. The topic for World Hepatitis Day 2020 is 'Hepatitis-free future' which predominantly centres around forestalling hepatitis B infection disease among mothers and new horns. For this year the World Health Organisation has decided to issue guidelines that are to be followed for the agenda.

Abnormal liver function, also known as liver derangement was observed in patients with COVID-19 either in the form of hepatitis or cholestasis, or both. An early report from China has shown raised serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in 28% of patients with COVID-19 and increased total bilirubin in 18% of the patients. In early COVID-19 infection, liver function tests are normal or minimally elevated but the frequency and severity of liver dysfunction increase with the severity of COVID-19. The best way to protect oneself from getting COVID-19 is to avoid exposure to the virus. Those who have liver disease should take the same precautions as people with other underlying conditions to avoid getting infected with or spreading COVID-19 in addition to the standard precautions. Watch out for symptoms --  fever, cough, shortness of breath, and keep a track of the modifying list of symptoms. This is more important if you are running errands, going into the office or workplace, or live or work in settings where it may be difficult to maintain social distancing norms. Take your temperature if symptoms develop, but wait for 30 minutes if you have been exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen. People with hepatitis B or hepatitis C should also continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle and follow the advice of your doctor. It is imperative to continue your medications and report anything unusual to your doctor to avoid new-onset liver dysfunction, said Dr. Sharad Malhotra, Senior Consultant & HOD, Dept of Gastroenterology.

The WHO has requested that all nations put forth an aggregate attempt and dispose of hepatitis virus within 2030. It has additionally given some broad rules for the individuals to follow. Which are as follows:

PREVENT infection among newborns: All newborns should be vaccinated against hepatitis B at birth, followed by at least 2 additional doses.STOP TRANSMISSION from MOTHER to CHILD: All pregnant women should be routinely tested for hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis and receive treatment if needed.LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND: Everyone should have access to hepatitis prevention, testing and treatment services, including people who inject drugs, people in prisons, migrants, and other highly-affected populations.EXPAND access to testing and treatment: Timely testing and treatment of viral hepatitis can prevent liver cancer and other severe liver diseases.MAINTAIN essential hepatitis services during COVID-19: Prevention and care services for hepatitis - such as infant immunisation, harm reduction services and continuous treatment of chronic hepatitis B - are essential even during the pandemic.