Every year, the world celebrates World Hepatitis Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about this silent disease that affects millions around the world and leads to more than one million deaths annually.
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This year's theme is "It's time to act," and the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Hepatitis Alliance have launched extensive campaigns urging governments and communities to take urgent steps towards prevention and treatment.
What is hepatitis? Hepatitis B and C are a real threat, with symptoms often only showing later in the stages when the liver has been severely damaged. According to the Pan American Health Organization, about 80,000 new cases of hepatitis B and C occur each year in the Americas, most of which go undiagnosed. The result is more than 100,000 deaths a year in this region alone.
Signs of Hepatitis; Hepatitis can be subtle at first, according to Cleveland Clinic experts. But when symptoms do occur, they may include:
Diarrhea.
General fatigue.
Feeling weak or generally uncomfortable.
Fever (especially in cases of viral infections).
Nausea or loss of appetite.
Pain in the right side of the upper abdomen.
In chronic hepatitis, which causes deeper damage to the liver, additional symptoms may occur, including:
Confusion, poor concentration or drowsiness.
Dark urine and light-colored stools.
Severe itching of the skin.
Yellowing of the skin or yellowing of the whites of the eyes.
Causes of Hepatitis: Hepatitis can be contracted by a person for several reasons, the most common of which is a viral infection, but there are other reasons such as:
Health diseases that negatively affect the liver.
Exposure to toxins.
Certain medications and chemical drugs.
How is viral hepatitis transmitted? The modes of transmission of the viruses that cause hepatitis vary according to their type, and the most prominent means of transmission include Bodily fluids
The hepatitis B virus can be transmitted through saliva, semen and fluids in the female area. Therefore, infection occurs through intimate contact with an infected person. Chronic infections can be passed from mother to baby during childbirth.
Contaminated blood
Viruses B, C and D can be transmitted through contact with contaminated blood, so make sure to disinfect any personal items and not share them with others.
Food poisoning
Hepatitis A or E can be contracted by eating or drinking water contaminated with the virus.
Are there treatments for hepatitis? Protecting the liver from diseases is possible
The good news is that effective treatments are available. Hepatitis C can be completely cured with safe oral medications, while hepatitis B can be effectively controlled. There are also effective vaccines for hepatitis A and B, including a newborn vaccine that can prevent 95% of infections.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that more than 80% of those infected do not know they have been infected. This alarming percentage is one of the most significant challenges to the control efforts.
Major challenges to hepatitis control efforts
According to the World Health Organization, the main barriers to controlling hepatitis are:
Lack of awareness.
The spread of superstitions.
The stigma surrounding the infected.
These psychological and social barriers prevent people from seeking testing or treatment, and lead to decision-makers neglecting the issue.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that one person dies every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related illness, despite the availability of prevention, testing and treatment tools.
Global goals by 2030
WHO seeks to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, by achieving the following goals:
Reduce new hepatitis B and C infections by 90%.
Reduce related deaths by 65%.
90% of those infected have been diagnosed.
Treat 80% of those eligible for treatment.
The role of society in reducing the chances of contracting hepatitis
In a speech marking World Day, the executive director of the Global Hepatitis Alliance, Charles Gore, stressed that society can no longer wait. "300 million people live with chronic hepatitis without their knowledge. Prevention, diagnosis and treatment exist, but political will is lacking."
He also noted that more than 36 countries in Africa do not provide the dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth, despite its proven effectiveness. He criticized the government's low appetite for buying medicines at reasonable prices. Gore pointed to Egypt's experience in combating hepatitis C as a global model, where the country combined comprehensive examination with free treatment, which led to a significant decrease in infection rates.
Does hepatitis affect children?
The answer is yes, and children should receive care early, not after birth while at all stages. WHO has launched investments in the hepatitis vaccine at birth, in partnership with WHO and UNICEF, which represents a glimmer of hope for the protection of new generations.
On this day, international organizations call on all parties to work together to raise awareness, screening, treatment, and psychological and social support for those injured. Eliminating hepatitis is not a dream, but a realistic goal that can be achieved if commitment is there.
