Did you know that last Friday, July 28, was World Hepatitis Day? Commemorated annually, it serves as a platform to increase worldwide consciousness about hepatitis.

With an estimated 290 million people worldwide living with chronic hepatitis B or C, this silent epidemic has far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and communities alike.

Hepatitis is a medical term used when inflammation of the liver is present. It can be caused by viral infections, alcohol abuse, prolonged use of certain medications, toxins, and autoimmune diseases.

There are five main types of the hepatitis virus: A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis B and C often lead to chronic disease when detected and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis (end-stage liver disease), liver cancer, and viral hepatitis-related deaths.

The liver is vital for essential bodily functions such as processing nutrients, filtering harmful substances from the blood (detoxification and metabolism), producing bile to aid digestion, and maintaining the body’s internal balance.

Inflamed, its functions could be impaired, which could lead to a range of symptoms and complications. Common indicators that may suggest hepatitis include:

• fever;
• fatigue;
• appetite loss;
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• abdominal pain;
• dark urine;
• light-coloured stools;
• joint pain; and/or
• jaundice.

Are all types of hepatitis equally serious with the same characteristics? No. The hepatitis viruses are essentially very different from one another, in terms of mode of transmission, impact, and effects in infected individuals.

Hepatitis A often makes people feel ill for only a short period, and it rarely results in serious complications or long-lasting illness.

Hepatitis B, on the other hand, can be very serious if the individual’s initial viral infection progresses to a chronic infection. Thankfully, the likelihood of this is only in 2-6% adults, and some may not exhibit any symptoms during their initial infection.

Meanwhile, Hepatitis C often doesn’t cause initial symptoms but an estimated 60-80% of patients will often develop a lifelong, chronic infection. This could eventually lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or even death if left untreated.

Get protected

Since there are vaccines available for hepatitis A and B, it’s advisable for everyone to first check whether they have antibodies against these two conditions, especially:

• frequent travellers to high-risk areas;
• those with pre-existing liver conditions;
• people with compromised immune systems (e.g. those with
• HIV/AIDS or who are on immunosuppressive treatment);
• healthcare workers;
• pregnant women;
• infants born to infected mothers;
• people receiving blood transfusions;
• individuals with multiple sex partners.

If upon testing you learn your hepatitis A and B antibodies are below the recommended range, vaccinations would be beneficial.

The mode of hepatitis A vaccine administration consists of two doses: the initial dose, followed by a booster within six to 12 months. Depending on the brand of vaccine used, the booster dose may be extended up to 36 months after.

For hepatitis B vaccination, the regime typically consists of three doses: the initial dose, followed by the second one a month later, and a third jab at six months after the first dose.

This schedule provides optimal protection by the seventh month and produces high antibody titres.

For combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines, a three-dose series is recommended consisting of the initial jab (month 0), followed by the first and six months.

In addition, lifestyle modifications such as maintaining a balanced diet, limiting alcohol consumption, and going for medical check-ups can protect the liver and detect potential issues before it is too late.

This article was written by DOC2US, a mobile application that allows you to talk to a doctor or any healthcare professionals via text chat at any time and from anywhere.