21/01/2023 / Digestive Disease & Gastroenterology
All about Hepatitis: Prioritising liver health
Hepatitis is a blood-borne disease and requires public health awareness as a priority. However, the main focus should be to prevent it by getting vaccinated.
Table of Content
Hepatitis Treatment: Prevention should be the first approach to hepatitis treatment
DVHs strategic plan for 2025 is to reduce new hepatitis viral infections
How does Sprint medical want to contribute to combating Hepatitis disease?
Introduction
Hepatitis is a serious illness in which the liver is damaged. Therefore, disease awareness is vital for preventing, diagnosing, and managing viral Hepatitis.
In India,40 million people are chronically infected with Hepatitis B, and 6 to 12 million people are infected with Hepatitis C.
Why are Hepatitis disease cases rising?
Lack of awareness.
Failure to address the key population.
The key population includes
Homosexual
Lack of education: Barriers to safe sex
Poverty and unemployment lead to reduced access to prevention and treatment
Drug injectors
Stigma (anal intercourse, untreated infection, multiple sexual partners, non-sterile needle, needle sharing)
Poor service quality.
Structural barriers.
What is Hepatitis disease?
The Hepatitis virus causes injury to the liver. The liver is a vital organ of our body. It processes nutrients, filters blood, and fights infections.
Hepatitis causes damage to the liver and impairs its function.
Hepatitis Classification
There are four types of Hepatitis based on hepatitis causes:
Viral Hepatitis
Alcoholic Hepatitis
Toxic Hepatitis
Autoimmune Hepatitis
An overview of Hepatitis causes
The hepatitis causes are:
Hepatitis virus: Different viruses which cause Hepatitis are A, B, C, D, and E.
Alcohol use: One of the important Hepatitis causes is excessive alcohol. Every food we eat passes through the liver, where it gets processed and metabolized, and toxins are filtered When alcohol reaches the liver, it is broken down into toxins that accumulate (due to excessive drinking) and cause injury to the liver.
Chemicals: The liver is injured when exposed to chemicals. This exposure may be due to toxic substances or chemicals in the workplace (organic solvents). This is called chemical-induced Hepatitis.
Medicine: It is advisable not to take any over-the-counter medications without the doctor’s advice because certain medicines cause injury to the liver and increase the risk of liver damage.
Autoimmune: Autoimmune Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver from an unknown cause. The role of genetics, environmental factors, and the immune system are included in the hepatitis causes of this type.
Hepatitis symptoms
Common hepatitis symptoms include tiredness, weakness, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, clay-colored stool, dark urine, joint pain, jaundice, and intense itching. The abdominal pain is in the upper right side of the region where the liver is located.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A virus is found in the stool and blood of an infected person.
Hepatitis causes of this type are close contact with an infected person (oral-anal sex) and eating contaminated food and drink.
Have you ever imagined there could be a link between strawberries and Hepatitis diagnosis?
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency investigated whether the Hepatitis A outbreak occurred after consuming fresh organic strawberries under the brand name Freshkampo.
In this, CDC remarked to the people who have taken organic strawberries of FreshKampo brand between March 5 to April 15, 2022, and then frozen them to eat later.
People were advised not to eat frozen organic strawberries and should throw them away even if they did not know the brand name. Anyone who has eaten these strawberries should consult their healthcare provider within 14 days. If they are not vaccinated for Hepatitis A, they should get the post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) vaccine.
If PEP vaccination is done within 14 days of exposure, it can prevent Hepatitis A illness.
This investigation was over on August 14, 2022. A total of 18 outbreak cases of Hepatitis A were reported.
The doctor advises resting, proper nutrition, and adequate fluids for those who suffer from Hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B causes severe liver damage. The causative agent of hepatitis B is the hepatitis B virus.
How does hepatitis B spread?
It spreads due to unprotected sex and multiple sexual partners, drug abuse, from mother to child, blood transfusion, sharing needles, toothbrushes, razor, and needle prick injuries.
Hepatitis B complications include hepatitis D, cirrhosis, chronic liver failure, and liver cancer.
Blood tests, imaging tests, and elastography diagnose hepatitis B.
The treatment plan includes the following:
Immunomodulator drugs.
Antiviral drugs
Lifestyle changes include limiting alcohol, sugar, and fat.
Hepatitis C
The causes of hepatitis C include sharing drug needles, transmission from the mother to the child, unprotected sex, and sharing personal items. It is also spread by tattooing and piercing with unsterilized tools used on the infected person.
Hepatitis C is diagnosed by patient history, blood test, and physical exam.
Treatment includes antiviral medications.
Hepatitis C progresses to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer if not treated promptly. So, it is essential to get treated on time to prevent complications.
Hepatitis B and C have common causes.
Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D is also known as delta hepatitis. The Hepatitis D virus causes it. It only occurs in those who are also infected with hepatitis B.
Coinfection means a person becomes infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis D simultaneously. When the person gets hepatitis D first after being infected with hepatitis B, then it is known as superinfection.
The investigations include anti-hepatitis D antibody, liver biopsy, and liver enzymes.
Possible complications include chronic active Hepatitis and acute liver failure.
Hepatitis E
The Hepatitis E virus causes hepatitis E, and the most common cause is drinking contaminated water, uncooked food, etc.
Many people recover completely.
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis E, and it resolves on its own without treatment.
The specific instructions include the following:
Rest
Nutrition
Fluids
No alcohol
Avoid medications that cause harm to the liver.
American liver foundation: A hope of lightness in the dark
The American Liver Foundation’s mission is to help people with liver diseases. It is an organization where patients with liver diseases, their family members and friends, caregivers, medical experts, and researchers gather and increase engagement to spread knowledge about liver diseases.
Hepatitis Treatment: Prevention should be the first approach to hepatitis treatment
According to a World Health Organization case study, 4.5 million premature deaths linked to Hepatitis disease could be prevented by 2030 in low and middle-income countries.
This means we can prevent certain types of hepatitis disease through vaccination, testing, medicines, and Hepatitis awareness campaigns.
Additions in WHO guidelines
The direct-acting antiviral (DAA)can cure hepatitis C. WHO recommends in 2022 guidelines that DAA be used in treating adults, adolescents, and children down to 3 years of age with chronic hepatitis C infection. The treatment duration is short, 12 to 24 weeks.
The World Health Organization's strategy is to reduce 90 % of new Hepatitis and 65 % of deaths caused by hepatitis disease between 2016 and 2030.
Know the 2022 Consolidated GUIDELINES for Hepatitis disease by WHO
These guidelines are developed using the GRADE methodology and address five key population groups.
Virtual intervention: The aim is to include online services, internet accessibility, and improved literacy.
Peer navigators: To recognize the people of the key population and train and provide them access to health services.
To test people at ongoing risk: People who have had a spontaneous clearance of Hepatitis C should be given a facility of 3 to 6 monthly testing to check HCV viremia.
HCV treatment for people at ongoing risk: The aim is to provide immediate treatment without delay.
Behavioral intervention: Counseling to stop drug abuse and education campaigns are included to remove social stigma.
To address chemsex: Expand awareness on mental and reproductive health, sterile needles, etc.
DVHs strategic plan for 2025 is to reduce new hepatitis viral infections
Goals
To increase vaccination for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B in a high-risk population.
To reduce cases of drug use associated with Hepatitis.
To reduce perinatal viral hepatitis infections.
To increase the rate of Hepatitis B “Birth dose” (0-1 day) vaccination.
To identify Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C-infected mothers.
To increase Hepatitis B-related medical care.
To reduce death related to Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C related deaths.
Strengthening data to accurately report, analyze, describe and disseminate the viral hepatitis data for public health action.
To increase awareness among the people about their Hepatitis infection status.
To increase the use of preventive services for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
To develop and disseminate educational materials which are friendly and culturally competent and raise awareness on Hepatitis.
How does Sprint medical want to contribute to combating Hepatitis disease?
We provide online services, which form an essential part of the intervention. Our efforts aim to improve health quality and spread awareness about diseases.
Take-Home Points
Hepatitis disease may be devastating, but it is preventive and also treatable. If it is diagnosed on time and treated, it can be controlled to a great extent. The mission of WHO is to eliminate Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C from the public threat by 2030.
How could the general public contribute?
You must know about Hepatitis disease and its causes.
You must have awareness about the types of Hepatitis and know Hepatitis symptoms so that you educate others and spread awareness in your social circle.
You must know and tell others that Hepatitis diagnosis and Hepatitis treatment are available. Always encourage people to access healthcare services.
References
FAQ on Hepatitis
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis causes disturbances in liver functioning.
It is one of the five types of Hepatitis. Hepatitis B progress to liver cirrhosis and liver failure in chronic conditions.
You should be vaccinated against Hepatitis B to prevent it.
You have to follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
The Hepatitis B virus causes it.
Yes, it is.
It spreads through sexual contact, from mother to fetus, drug abuse, and blood transfusion.
It occurs due to liver damage. The brain's functioning is adversely affected. There are symptoms like confusion and forgetfulness.
Yes, Dentists are at high risk of contracting Hepatitis B.
In acute viral Hepatitis, the patient has symptoms like fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, abdominal pain, icterus, jaundice, dark-colored urine, and light-colored stools.
Patient history, symptoms, blood tests, and imaging, play an essential role in hepatitis diagnosis.
Sexual contact, blood transfusion, contaminated food, and water.
Hepatitis B is liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis B virus.
Yes, it is.
Take proper treatment and follow the instructions given by the doctor.
Vaccination prevents Hepatitis B. However, the disease cannot be cured, So it is essential to get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
Yes, it can.
Hepatitis B is the most dangerous.
Vaccination, proper sanitation, drinking clean water, and safe sex.
It is also called serum hepatitis.
Hepatitis is caused by a virus, while jaundice occurs due to a higher bilirubin level.
The signs of liver damage are jaundice, swelling in legs, dark-colored urine and pale-colored stool.
The hepatitis B treatment includes antiviral drugs, liver friendly diet, rest and as directed by physician.
Hepatitis C cure is possible with antiviral drugs but no vaccination is available for hepatitis C.
The signs and symptoms of hepatitis C are easy bleeding, bruising, tiredness, poor appetite, jaundice, dark colored urine, itchiness and ascites.
Hepatitis A is the disease of liver.
Hepatitis B diagnosis includes physical examination, lab investigation, imaging.
Hepatitis B prevention includes vaccination.
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