Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a liver infection that causes inflammation. The term hepatitis refers to any type of liver inflammation, such as irritation or swelling of the liver cells due to a variety of factors. It can be acute (liver inflammation accompanied by symptoms such as jaundice, fever, and vomiting) or chronic (inflammation of the liver that lasts more than six months, but essentially showing no symptoms). It disrupts a variety of metabolic processes, including bile production, excretion, fat and protein metabolism, enzyme activation, and protein synthesis.

 

• There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D and E. There are significant differences between the strains, including modes of transmission, severity of illness, and geographic distribution.

• Types B and C, in particular, cause chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people. They are the leading cause of liver cirrhosis, cancer, and viral hepatitis-related deaths when taken together. Hepatitis B and C affect an estimated 325 million people worldwide.

• Vaccination can help prevent some types of hepatitis.

 

• Hepatitis A is an infectious liver disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus. It is acute, and in the majority of cases, symptoms in young people are not recognised. Vomiting, nausea, fever, severe abdominal pain, jaundice, and weakness are some of the symptoms, which can last up to eight weeks.

• It spreads to others through contaminated food, water, and close contact with an infected person. Simple blood tests can be used to diagnose it. The hepatitis A vaccine aids in disease prevention.

 

• It is an infectious disease caused by a Hepatitis B virus infection. It is spread by flattened wounds, contact with blood, saliva, and infectious body fluids. Hepatitis B can also be spread by sharing personal items such as razors or toothbrushes with an infected person.

• Abdominal pain, fatigue, and jaundice are all symptoms of hepatitis B. Symptoms do not manifest themselves for one to six months. A simple blood test could be used to diagnose it.

• Hepatitis B Vaccine could be done for both adults and children. It comprises three intramuscular vaccines. The second and third vaccines are given one and six months after the first.

• Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C virus. This can be transmitted through infected needles, at the time of birth (i.e. from infected mother to child), through an infected person's body fluids, and having sex with multiple partners, specifically with HIV-infected persons.

• It cannot be transmitted through food or water.

• Loss of appetite, tiredness, frequent fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, joint pain, abnormalities in urine, and abdominal pain are all symptoms. After six to seven weeks of virus exposure, these symptoms appear. In some cases, signs may take several years to appear.

 

It is one of the most serious liver diseases caused by the Hepatitis D virus. It is transmitted through infected blood or wounds. It is possible that it will occur in conjunction with Hepatitis B.

 

This is a waterborne disease that is spread through water. It could spread through contaminated blood, food, and water.  It could be acute or chronic in nature.

 

• Viruses known as "hepatotropic" (liver directed) viruses, such as A, B, C, D, and E, are usually to blame.

• Other viruses, such as the varicella virus that causes chicken pox, may also be responsible. The virus that causes Covid-19, SARS-CoV-2, may also harm the liver.

• Other causes include drug and alcohol abuse, fatty liver hepatitis, and an autoimmune condition in which the body produces antibodies that attack the liver (autoimmune hepatitis).

 

• Hepatitis A and E are self-limiting (i.e., they go away on their own) and do not require antiviral treatment.

• Hepatitis A and B vaccines are available, but Hepatitis C and D vaccines are not.

• For Hepatitis E, a promising vaccine is in the works.

• Effective medications for Hepatitis B and C are available.

• Antiviral medications can be used to treat chronic hepatitis B infection.

• Treatment can slow cirrhosis progression, lower the risk of liver cancer, and improve long-term survival.

 

• Hepatitis B and C are the leading causes of death, claiming 1.3 million lives each year.

• In 2016, 194 governments from around the world signed on to the World Health Organization's global strategy, which aims to eradicate viral hepatitis by 2030.

 

• Hepatitis B virus infects 40 million people, and Hepatitis C virus infects 6 to 12 million people.

• The National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) was launched in 2018, with the goal of eradicating Hepatitis C by 2030. The programme is the world's largest for diagnosing and treating hepatitis B and C.

• Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Pneumonia, and Meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Measles, Rubella, Japanese Encephalitis (JE), and Rotavirus diarrhoea are all covered by India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), which provides free vaccination against a total of 12 vaccine-preventable diseases.

• Shantha Biotech, based in Hyderabad, developed the first recombinant DNA-based vaccine for Hepatitis B infection.

• In the Southeast Asia region of the World Health Organization, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Thailand became the first four countries to successfully control Hepatitis B.

• The virus is said to be under control when the disease prevalence among children under the age of five drops to less than 1%.

• Recently, the ‘COBAS 6800', an automated coronavirus testing device that can also detect viral Hepatitis B and C, was released.

• It should be noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) only officially endorses disease-specific global awareness days for four diseases: HIV/AIDS (1 December), tuberculosis (24 March), malaria (25 April), and hepatitis. Every year on July 28th, World Hepatitis Day is commemorated to raise awareness about viral hepatitis.

 

• The Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology was awarded to Americans Harvey J Alter and Charles M Rice, as well as British scientist Michael Houghton, for the discovery of the Hepatitis C Virus in 2020.

• In 1982, the Hepatitis C virus was discovered after millions of DNA samples were screened.

• The discovery aided in the development of effective antiviral drugs, which are now available.