Viral hepatitis is a deadly condition

Viral hepatitis is a deadly condition

Hepatitis B and C cause the most fatal infections

New Delhi, 08 December 2017: About 1.5 lakh people die of hepatitis every year in India, as per reports and this condition affects 60 million people in the country. Viral hepatitis infection is also the leading cause of liver cancer and liver failure. Despite these alarming facts, only few people are aware of this condition that infects and kills more people in India than HIV, malaria and tuberculosis combined. There are five viral hepatitis strains of which hepatitis B and C cause the most fatal infections.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver cells and damage to the liver. There are different types and causes, but the symptoms can be similar. The liver helps in detoxifying blood, storing vitamins, and producing hormones. Hepatitis can disrupt these processes and create severe health problems throughout the body.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, "It is imperative to not underestimate the threat of hepatitis. More than 80% cases of liver cancer are due to viral hepatitis. Many people are not aware even when they are infected as majority of people doesn’t even know they are infected because symptoms of jaundice such as yellowing of skin, whites of the eye, and urine happen in the later stages of the disease. Both the fatal infections (Hepatitis B and C) spread through contaminated blood and other fluids, with unsafe blood transfusion, tattoos or dental procedures using unsterilized tools, unprotected sex, sharing razor, etc. This further leads to the infection spreading from an infected person to a healthy person. Progression of liver disease is faster in individuals with HIV and viral hepatitis coinfection; also, they may not respond as well to treatment.”

The signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis appear quickly and include fatigue, flu-like symptoms, dark urine, pale stool, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and yellow skin and eyes, which may be signs of jaundice.

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “The WHO has recognized viral hepatitis as a serious public health problem. There is a need for urgent and immediate action against this deadly condition as also raising awareness about its symptoms. It is also important to complete the vaccine regimen failing which the complications can exacerbate.”

The following precautions can help in preventing the risk of infection.

• Unnecessary and unsafe injections
• Unsafe blood products
• Unsafe waste collection and disposal
• Use of illicit drugs and sharing of injection equipment
• Unprotected sex with hepatitis C-infected people
• Sharing of sharp-edged personal items like razors that may be contaminated with infected blood
• Tattoos, piercing and acupuncture performed with contaminated equipment 

Viral hepatitis is a serious health problem in the country, IMA

Viral hepatitis is a serious health problem in the country, IMA • If not diagnosed in time, it can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer • About 90% of hepatitis C cases can be cured with treatment New Delhi, 26 July 2017: According to statistics, about 400 million people are infected with Hepatitis B and C around the world. In India, about 40 million people are chronically infected with Hepatitis B and another 6 to 12 million with Hepatitis C. Most of the acute cases of liver failure can be attributed to Hepatitis E Virus (HEV). As per the IMA, about 90% of the people with Hepatitis C can be cured with treatment. An inflammation of liver is referred to as hepatitis. Caused by hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, and E, viral hepatitis is a widespread infectious disease. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to liver fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer. Viral hepatitis has been recognized as a serious health problem in India. Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, "Hepatitis A virus is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis, followed by hepatitis B virus. Engaging in certain activities, such as getting a tattoo or body piercing, sharing needles to inject drugs, or having several sex partners, increases the risk of developing hepatitis. The liver is a vital organ which helps process nutrients, filter blood, and fight infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Hepatitis B can also be transmitted by fomites such as such as finger-stick devices used to obtain blood for glucose measurements, multi-dose medication vials, jet gun injectors, and endoscopes. Hepatitis B is 10 times more infectious than HCV and 50–100 times more infectious than HIV. The HBV can survive in dried blood for up to 7 days and remains capable of causing infection. This makes hepatitis B a more dangerous infection than HIV.” Some symptoms of acute viral hepatitis include fatigue, flu-like symptoms, dark urine, light-colored stools, fever, and jaundice; however, acute viral hepatitis can also occur with minimal symptoms which can go unrecognized. In rare cases, acute viral hepatitis causes fulminant hepatic failure. Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “The initial treatment for acute viral hepatitis involves relieving the symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. It is better to avoid medications or compounds, which can have adverse effects in patients with abnormal liver function. Only necessary medication should be prescribed as the impaired liver cannot eliminate drugs normally, making them accumulate in the blood and reach toxic levels.” The following tips can help in preventing hepatitis. Get vaccinated Hepatitis A and B vaccines are very effective and can be given as separate injections, or combined. It is better to consult your doctor and get vaccinated on time to avoid any infection. Inculcate the habit of washing hands Make sure that everyone in the family washes hands thoroughly after using the bathroom (or changing a diaper) and before handling food or eating. Avoid contact with foreign blood Any blood exposure can transmit hepatitis B and C and therefore, ensure to wash off any blood thoroughly if you happen to come in contact with it. Beware of the tattoo Get tattooed only by a licensed professional. It is possible to get hepatitis from hypodermic needles and the tools used to create tattoos and piercings. Indulge in safe sex Use appropriate contraception options. The chances of hepatitis infection increase with the number of sexual partners.

New WHO ‘Global Hepatitis’ report highlights the impact of viral hepatitis

New WHO ‘Global Hepatitis’ report highlights the impact of viral hepatitis While the world focused on tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic, another viral infection, viral hepatitis, has slowly gained foothold and has now become a major public health problem. This week, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a ‘Global Hepatitis’ report, which elaborates on the global burden of viral hepatitis and for the first time includes global and regional estimates on viral hepatitis in 2015. According to the report, globally, about 325 million people worldwide have chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Many among these are at risk of progression to chronic liver disease, cancer, and eventually death as they lack access to diagnostic tests and treatment. Viral hepatitis caused 1.34 million deaths in 2015, a number comparable to deaths caused by tuberculosis and higher than those caused by HIV. Of the five types of viral hepatitis, hepatitis B and C together account for 96% of overall mortality due to hepatitis. While deaths due to TB and HIV are declining, those due to viral hepatitis are increasing. Globally, countries in the WHO African and the Western Pacific Regions have the highest prevalence of hepatitis B. The WHO Eastern Mediterranean and the European Regions have the highest reported prevalence of hepatitis C. Here are some key points about viral hepatitis: • Hepatitis B is the most infectious of the three blood-borne viruses: Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. • Absence of jaundice does not rule out acute hepatitis infection, can just present with constitutional symptoms such as fever, vomiting, poor appetite, lethargy with high liver enzymes. • Because of their shared routes of transmission - infected body fluids such as blood, semen and vaginal fluid, or from a mother to her baby during pregnancy or delivery - people at risk for HIV infection are also at risk for HBV or HCV infection. • All people with HIV infection should be tested for hepatitis B and C infections. • Progression of liver disease is faster in viral hepatitis and HIV coinfection, which also increases the risk of serious, life-threatening health complications. • Hepatitis B can also be transmitted by fomites such as such as finger-stick devices used to obtain blood for glucose measurements, multi-dose medication vials, jet gun injectors, and endoscopes. • Hepatitis B is 10 times more infectious than HCV and 50–100 times more infectious than HIV. The HBV can survive in dried blood for up to 7 days and remains capable of causing infection. This makes hepatitis B a more dangerous infection than HIV. • Hence, any blood spills from a person with hepatitis B should be cleaned up with appropriate infection control procedures e.g. wearing gloves, and using an appropriate cleaning product for the surface, such as diluted bleach or detergent and warm water • The first step after being exposed to blood or bodily fluids is to wash the area well with soap and water and covered with a waterproof dressing or plaster. Expressing fluid by squeezing the wound will not reduce the risk of blood-borne infection. All unvaccinated persons should be administered hepatitis B vaccine after exposure to blood. If the exposed blood is positive for HBV and the exposed person is unvaccinated, treatment with hepatitis B immune globulin is recommended. • Hepatitis C virus can survive on environmental surfaces for up to 16 hours. It can also spread from infected fluid splashes to the conjunctiva. Dr KK Aggarwal National President IMA & HCFI

Hepatitis B is a more dangerous infection than HIV

HIV and Viral hepatitis
Hepatitis B is a more dangerous infection than HIV

Dr K K Aggarwal

• Viral hepatitis and HIV coinfection is a common problem and challenge to the treating clinician.
• People with HIV who are coinfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) are at increased risk for serious, life-threatening health complications.
• All people living with HIV should be tested for Hepatitis B and C infections.
• HIV and viral hepatitis coinfection can complicate the management of HIV infection.
• Progression of liver disease is faster in individuals with HIV and viral hepatitis coinfection; also, they may not respond as well to treatment.
• Hepatitis B is preventable; hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for high-risk people or those living with HIV who have tested negative for HBV.
• Give Hepatitis B vaccine to all unvaccinated persons after exposure to blood. If the exposed blood is positive for HBV and the exposed person is unvaccinated, treatment with hepatitis B immune globulin is recommended.
• HIV, HBV and HCV have similar routes of transmission. They spread by contact with infected body fluids such as blood, semen and vaginal fluid, or from a mother to her baby during pregnancy or delivery. Because of these shared routes of transmission, people at risk for HIV infection are also at risk for HBV or HCV infection. Of these, hepatitis B is more infectious.
• Hepatitis B virus gets transmitted by percutaneous and mucosal exposures and human bites.
• Hepatitis B can also be transmitted by fomites such as finger stick blood sugar check, multi dose medication vials, jet gun injectors, and endoscopes.  Hepatitis B virus can survive on counter tops for up to 7 days and remain capable of causing infection.
• Any scratch, cut and wound should be cleaned with soap and water and covered with a waterproof dressing or plaster. Expressing fluid by squeezing the wound will not reduce the risk of blood borne infection.
• Blood spills from someone with hepatitis B should be cleaned up with appropriate infection control procedures e.g. wearing gloves, and using an appropriate cleaning product for the surface, such as diluted bleach or detergent and warm water.
• Transmission of hepatitis C virus can occur from infected fluid splashes to the conjunctiva. Hepatitis C virus can survive on environmental surfaces for up to 16 hours.