Viral hepatitis is a major health concern in India today. There are five major types of viral hepatitis, including Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Of them, Hepatitis-B is more infectious and considered deadlier than HIV. Around 46 million people are infected with this virus and more than one lakh die annually in our country because of Hepatitis-B infection and various complications like cirrhosis (liver scarring) and liver cancer.
This virus infection is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. It is 100 times more infectious than HIV. The virus is commonly transmitted through the parenteral route when we use contaminated needles and syringes for injections, share shaving blades and toothbrush, accept blood and blood products not screened properly or resort to unprotected sex with an infected partner. The infection also gets transmitted from the infected mother to the child during delivery. It does not spread through sharing of food or water, sharing of utensils or drinking glasses, coughing or sneezing and breastfeeding. So, there is no reason to discriminate against the people infected with Hepatitis-B and they should not be shunned at workplace or school or excluded from daily activities.
Initially, the infection remains silent and most infected people don’t even know that they have the virus. It causes both acute and chronic infections. Once someone has chronic infection, which means persistent infection for more than six months, it is very difficult to eradicate the virus from the body. It gradually attacks the liver, leading to chronic hepatitis, liver scarring (cirrhosis), liver failure, liver cancer and, finally, death. Unfortunately, the Hepatitis-B virus is the commonest cause for these liver complications in our country. Anti-viral medications, both tablets and injections, are available which can keep the virus under control and prevent disease progression. It is important to diagnose the disease at its early stage and start appropriate treatment so that liver failure and death can be prevented.
When the disease is diagnosed in an advanced state, liver transplantation is recommended. It is, therefore, always wiser to prevent the infection instead of getting it and suffering for the rest of life. Fortunately, a very safe and effective vaccine is available which can prevent the deadly infection and ensure a Hepatitis-B-free healthy life. The vaccine is available since 1970, but people are not very much aware of the infection and its prevention. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends vaccination of all children, adolescents and people who are at high risk for the infection. Age, in fact, is no bar for vaccination and everybody should be vaccinated. Once immunised, the protection remains for life and there is no need for booster injection. The vaccination schedule consists of three injections, administered over a period of six months. Ignorance about the infection and its prevention has been leading to loss of many human lives in our country.
The World Hepatitis Day is celebrated on July 28 every year to highlight the problem and create awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis while pointing out the various ways to prevent the infection, the ultimate goal being to eradicate these devastating diseases. July 28 was chosen to mark the birthday of Professor Baruch Blumberg, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work in discovering the Hepatitis-B virus. This year, the theme for the World Hepatitis Day is “This is hepatitis. Know it. Confront it”. The campaign emphasises the fact that hepatitis remains largely unknown as a health threat in much of the world. But time has come when we need to know the disease and confront it, without remaining ignorant. We need to take steps to prevent the infection and provide a hepatitis-free environment to our future generation.
Considering the seriousness of the infection, the Institute of Medical Sciences and Sum Hospital decided to launch the campaign in a big way and create awareness among people of Odisha about this deadly infection. The ultimate motto is to provide good health to our people. The Department of Gastroenterology at the IMS and SUM Hospital has been providing free screening for Hepatitis-B. In addition, the hospital has decided to have a free Hepatitis-B vaccination camp for six days in its campus from July 29 to August 3. (Dr Manoj Kumar Sahu is Associate Professor, Centre of Excellence for Gastrointestinal, liver and Pancreatobilliary Sciences, IMS & Sum Hospital, Bhubaneswar)