Hepatitis: It’s closer than you think!

Effective vaccines are available for most of the Hepatitis virus.

Viral hepatitis kills about one million people every year. In addition, an estimated 500 million people experience chronic illness from their infection with hepatitis. It is a major cause of liver cancer and liver cirrhosis. Despite its staggering toll on health, hepatitis remains a group of diseases that are largely unknown, undiagnosed and untreated.
With a view to raising awareness of the different forms of hepatitis: what they are and how they are transmitted; who is at risk; and the various methods of prevention and treatment, World Hepatitis Day is being observed today with the theme "It's closer than you think". World Health Organisation (WHO) is urging governments to strengthen efforts to fight viral hepatitis, to save millions from getting avoidable virus and facing its fatal complications.
There are five hepatitis viruses defined by types — A, B, C, D and E. Type B and C are of significant concern since a high proportion of people infected with these viruses may not experience symptoms at the early stage of the disease, and only become aware of their infection when they are chronically ill. These two viruses are the leading cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer, accounting for almost 80% of all liver cancer cases.
People can get hepatitis from either infected body fluids or contaminated food and water depending on the type of hepatitis. Types B, C and D are contracted through the blood of an infected person (e.g. through unsafe injections or unscreened blood transfusions). Hepatitis B and C are also transmitted through unprotected sex.
Type D only infects persons who are already infected with type B. Types A and E are typically transmitted via contaminated water or food and closely associated with poor sanitation and poor personal hygiene (e.g. unwashed hands).
Vaccines are the best method of preventing most of these viruses. Effective vaccines are available for all the virus types, except C. Vaccine to prevent hepatitis E infection has not yet made available across the world.
Prevention strategy depends on the type of the virus. B, C and D are prevented through avoiding the ways they are contracted like safe blood transfusion, safe sex etc. Types A and E are prevented through maintaining hygienic practices such as hand washing with safe water, particularly before handling food and avoiding drinking water and/or ice of unknown purity.