Every year on July 28, World Hepatitis Day (WHD) is ameans to make people aware of viral hepatitis, which can cause fatal liverdisease and hepatocellular cancer. Hepatitis has many variants such asHepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. The WHO has a significant health concern forIndia. In 2002, India had about 4 crore people were affected by Hepatitis B, 60lakh to 1.2 crore people are affected by the C variant, and about 2,50,000 individualsdie due to viral hepatitis.
Theme: This year the theme is “Hepatitiscan’t wait”. So that people can take a step to cure the fatal disease and sothat people get saved from dying because of this disease. The WHO wishes toeliminate hepatitis as a treat to people.
History: This day is markedas the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist. It isto honor the scientist because he had discovered the Hepatitis B virus (HBV).He had developed a vaccine as well as a vaccine to treat the fatal disease.
Cause: Among all the variants,Hepatitis A is a short-term disease while B, C, and D are chronic and arecaused often. The last one Hepatitis E is acute but dangerous and chronic inpregnant ladies.
Hepatitis A is caused due to contaminated food or water;B and C are caused due to bodily fluids namely semen, blood, or vaginalsecretion. Delta Hepatitis or Hepatitis D is a blood-borne disease that istransmitted through direct contact with blood. Whereas the waterborne variant, HepatitisE is common due to lack of sanitation and clean water supply.
Non-infectious Hepatitis is caused due to excessivedrinking of alcohol or other toxins, and faulty autoimmune system response.
Symptoms: Hepatitis causes interferencein liver functioning, causing cancer, liver damage, kidney disease, inflammationof blood disease, and cirrhosis. Other common symbols of this infection arepale stool, sudden weight loss, abdominal pain, fatigue, yellowing of the skin, otherflu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, and dark-colored urine.
Treatment: For Hepatitis A and Bthere are no specific treatments, people get cured by rest and hydration. ForHepatitis C, an antiviral medication, for D and E supportive care is a must. Incase of liver damage, replacement of the liver is the only option. Research isbeing done on medications and therapies that may help.
Prevention: Awarenessis the key, protected intercourse, good sanitation, hygienic food, and vaccinecan protect Hepatitis. Besides using these measures, avoiding large amounts of alcohol,sharing dirty needles to inject drugs or medicines, and taking precautionsbefore or while getting piercings or tattoos.