Hepatitis
Introduction
There are different types of Hepatitis, A,B, C, D, and E. All caused by a different virus. It is a preventable disease hence onces diagnosed, patient can start treatent and heal. The most important part in eliminations of Hepatitis by 2030 lies on vaccination and World Health Organization is running a campaign and new technology and innovation in pharmateceutical sector will help us achieve it.
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver due to a viral infection these five viruses are responsible for most cases of viral hepatitis.
They include;
- Hepatitis A virus (HAV),
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV),
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV),
- Hepatitis D virus (HDV)
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV).
All the hepatitis viruses can cause acute hepatitis. However, only HBV, HCV, and HDV frequently cause chronic hepatitis, which can lead to cirrhosis and primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma).
Of these, HBV and HCV cause 96% of the mortality from viral hepatitis.
Types of hepatitis
- Hepatitis A: hepatitis A virus (HAV),
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV),
- Hepatitis C: hepatitis C virus (HCV),
- Hepatitis D virus (HDV)
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV)
Causes of hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is transmitted mostly through exposure to contaminated food or water or through exposure to infected individuals.
Symptoms of hepatitis A
Symptoms of hepatitis A can last up to 2 months and includes;
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Clay-colored stools
Most people with hepatitis A do not have a long-lasting illness.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B spreads when blood, semen, or other body fluids is exchanged with non-infected persons and this can happen through sexual contact; sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; or during pregnancy or delivery.
Signs and symptoms of acute HBV infections can include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Clay-colored stool
- Coint pain
- Jaundice
Hepatitis C
It is spread through contact with blood from an infected person evem though these days, most infections is caused by sharing needles or other equipment used to prepare and inject drugs.
Hepatitis D
It is transmitted mostly through exposure to infected blood, and it infects only those who already have hepatitis B. meaning it worsens the outcome of HBV infection; hence, hepatitis D is a cofactor of chronic liver disease.
Hepatitis E
Spreads the fecal-oral route (contaminated water) and also a self-limiting illness, but some patients may progress to acute liver failure.
It has a higher case fatality rate in pregnant women. This leads to maternal mortality, which is particularly devastating.
Prevention of hepatitis
Nearly 80% of people with the hepatitis B or C virus remain undiagnosed hence diag nosis is 1st step to prevention.
Hepatitis B and C together continue to cause 1.1 million deaths per year as a result of chronic liver disease and cancer.
Vaccination of Hepatitis
With technological advancement and pharmaceuticals importance on gloabal health. Mass production of vaccines and availablity has really impacted on spread of the virus. The more we vaccinate the healther the population.
Who is at risk?
People who are not vaccinated or has been previously infected.
Other risk factors include:
- Poor sanitation;
- Lack of safe water;
- Living in a household with an infected person;
- Being the sexual partner of someone with an acute hepatitis A infection;
- Use of recreational drugs;
- Traveling to areas of high endemicity.
Conclusion
Wide range of factors causes hepatitis, regardless on types of hepatitis vaccination is key to prevention of any type of the virus. Widespread diagnosis will tremendously improve and make the WHO Global Health Sector Strategies on respectively, HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections for the period 2022–2030 (GHSS) reach their target.
Fun Fact
28 July is Hepatitis Day is chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel-prize winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus.
