HOPELESSLY DREADING HEPATITIS

HEPATITIS is the eighth cause of mortality  all over the world. An estimated 20 million deaths will occur between 2015 and 2030.

VIRAL HEPATITIS  is the  eighth highest cause  of mortality globally and was responsible for for an estimated 1.34 million deaths in 2015, a toll comparable to that of Human Immunodeficiency Virus [ HIV ] and tuberculosis.

Globally, approximately 257 million persons  are chronically infected with  Hepatitis B and 71  million  with Hepatitis C.

At the rate , an estimated 20 million deaths will occur between 2015 and 2030. World Hepatitis  Day  takes place every year on July 18 bringing the world together under a single theme to raise awareness of  the global burden of viral hepatitis and to influence real change.

Within Pakistan almost 12 million people are suffering from Hepatitis B or C. Each year brings about 150,000 new cases.

The majority of the people  catch this  infection in health care settings without  being  aware of it. The disease is called a  silent killer  because  many patients remain undiagnosed  and untreated  for many, many years before developing complications  and dying.

Major risk factors  for the  transmission  of  Hepatitis  B  and  C  infection includes :  therapeutic injections, syringe reuse,  surgery, improper sterilisation  of  invasive medical  devices,  blood transfusion, hospitalization and sharing of  razors  while getting shave from barbers.

Some population groups  are  highly affected  by  Hepatitis  B  and  Hepatitis C such are now available.

Vaccine can be given to those  who are at increased risk  of  HBV   infection such as health care workers. It is also given  routinely   to  neonates  as  universal  vaccination in many countries.

Immunoglobulin  may be used to protect  persons who are  exposed to  Hepatitis B. It is particular  efficacious  within 48 hours of the  incident. It may also be given to neonates  who are at  increased risk  of  contracting Hepatitis B ie whose mothers are  HBsAg and HBeAg positive.

Others measure include  screening of   blood donors, blood and body fluid  precautions. [NNI]