Today, 28 July, marks World Hepatitis Day. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), hepatitis affects about 400 million people worldwide.
About 95 percent of people who contract hepatitis are unaware that they have the disease. The theme this year is “Elimination” which has reference to viral hepatitis, with the goal being to eradicate it worldwide by 2030.
ER24 encourages the public to educate themselves about the disease. Dr Vernon Wessels from ER24 said that hepatitis is a disease that results in the inflammation of the liver. It causes include viruses, bacteria, parasites, toxins and autoimmune diseases.
“Viral hepatitis is, however, the most common cause by far. Viral hepatitis is caused by a number of different viruses such as hepatitis A, B, C, D and E,” explained Dr Wessels.
Hepatitis infection can present minimal or no symptoms or a person may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tiredness, jaundice and dark urine. Severe cases can result in being in a coma and death.
Dr Wessels provides the following tips to assist the public in understanding the disease better, its risk factors and possible effects:
- Hepatitis B, C and D is commonly transmitted through contaminated needles, instruments, sexual contact, blood and body fluids and from mother to baby
- Blood products can also transmit the disease if it has not been tested for the virus
- A person may recover from the initial infection and become a chronic carrier of the infection. These viruses can also result in chronic long-term hepatitis
- Risks include permanent damage to the liver such as liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and failure
- Hepatitis B,C and D can be avoided by practising safe sex, immunisation, safe handling of contaminated medical instruments, needles and waste
- Hepatitis A and E are contracted through consumption of contaminated food, water and areas where poor sanitation exists.
Hepatitis A and E can be prevented by ensuring good hygiene such as washing your hands, laundry and cooking of food. Avoid food and water sources contaminated by faeces and ensure that you are immunised against the disease.
ER24 spokesperson Chitra Bodasing said that she urges people to educate themselves about hepatitis due to the fact that no many people know about it, how it is contracted and how it can be treated.
“I encourage people who experience symptoms to get medical assistance as soon as possible,” concluded Bodasing.
