Hepatitis is a serious public health problem in India. A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016 revealed that approximately 40 million people have chronic hepatitis B in the country and six million people have hepatitis C.
Be informed with facts that could help you protect yourself and make you more aware of the infection.
A detailed report from The Sun reveals important information about hepatitis.
What is it?
Hepatitis is a serious liver infection that can be caused by drinking too much or by a viral infection.
The disease has many types and is treated in different ways. Symptoms of short- and long-term hepatitis can be difficult to detect, making it difficult for many to even know they have the condition, according to The Sun.
Sometimes, long-term hepatitis is only detected by blood tests when the liver fails completely.
Symptoms according to the NHS of the United Kingdom:
* Muscle pain
Fever
Fatigue
Sick
Loss of appetite
* Itchy skin
* Urine is dark/pale
Stool is gray
Types of hepatitis
Hepatitis A
– contracted when consuming contaminated food or drinks
– It takes a few months to pass
– No specific treatment
Hepatitis B
– It spreads through the blood of the infected person
– Infected needles, unprotected sex, pregnant woman to baby are common ways to transfer.
– Infected adults are able to fight the disease in a few months
– Chronic hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer in children
– Antiviral drugs can help treat it.
Hepatitis C
– It spreads through blood-to-blood contact with an infected person
– It is generally diffused by sharing needles
– Sometimes can stay in the system for many years
– Chronic hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis and liver failure
– One in four people is able to fight infection
Hepatitis D
– Only people affected by hepatitis B are infected with hepatitis D
– Spread through sexual or blood-to-blood contact
Hepatitis E
– Raw meat consumption
– It is usually mild and short-term
Alcoholic hepatitis
– May cause liver failure and jaundice
– Not drinking will help your body to recover
– Reduce alcohol consumption to reduce the risk of contracting the disease
Hepatitis vaccine
Currently, there is only vaccination available for hepatitis A. There is none for hepatitis C, D or E.
People at high risk of the disease:
– Health workers
– People who inject drugs
– Men who have sex with other men
– Infected mothers can pass it on to their children
