How Can We Prevent Viral Hepatitis

Posted on: Jul 19, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

How Can We Prevent Viral Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is a severe condition caused by the hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, and E. It causes inflammation of the liver and can progress to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Hepatitis poses a severe threat to the health of millions of people around the world and claims several lives every year.

Therefore, on World Hepatitis Day, i.e., the 28th of July, WHO and other healthcare organisations do their bit to raise awareness and understanding of the risk of the condition. They educate people on viral hepatitis precautions, causes, symptoms, and treatment options and encourage them to opt for early testing and treatment to make recovery easier. This day was chosen as it marks the birth anniversary of a Nobel-prize-winning scientist, Dr Baruch S. Blumberg. Dr Blumberg discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the condition.

World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Report

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 325 million people around the world live with chronic hepatitis. The condition claimed 1.3 million lives in 2022, as compared to 1.1 million in 2019. What’s disturbing is that the deaths due to hepatitis increased in 2022, even after the number of cases went down from 2.5 million in 2019 to 2.2 million in 2022.

Hepatitis is a severe public health problem in India. The country has the second-highest viral hepatitis caseload after China, and the infection claims several lives every year. It is also the second-most deadly infectious disease after tuberculosis. As per the latest estimates of the World Health Organisation, about 40 million people in India are chronically infected with hepatitis B and about 6 to 12 million people with hepatitis C. The country accounts for 11.6 per cent of the total hepatitis cases around the world.

What steps should be taken to tackle the problem?

Hepatitis is a deadly condition, and the increasing number of hepatitis cases in India is a cause of concern. There are 5 types of hepatitis virus, and all of these can cause liver infection and inflammation. However, chronic hepatitis B and C can lead to more severe issues, such as liver cirrhosis and cancer. Therefore, it is important to educate people about the condition in order to tackle the problem. The following are some important steps that can help reduce hepatitis cases in the country.

1. Spreading awareness about the condition:

Educating the masses about the causes and symptoms of the condition can help reduce its caseload by a significant percentage.

For example, if people know that sharing needles, razors, toothbrushes, etc., with an infected person can lead to hepatitis, they will be vigilant, and this can make a huge difference. It is also vital to spread the word about the long-term effects of the condition, such as severe damage to the liver and death. This will encourage people to opt for early diagnosis and timely treatment.

2. Ensuring easy access to testing and diagnostics:

Setting up more diagnostic centres across the country can also help tackle the problem. Individuals can book a blood test without delay in noticing the symptoms of the condition. If diagnosed with hepatitis infection, they can opt for early treatment and reduce the risk of liver cirrhosis, cancer, liver failure, and other associated health complications.

3. Strengthening vaccination programs:

Vaccinating newborns and adults at risk can help check the spread. For example, newborns should be given the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. This is particularly important for children born to mothers with hepatitis B infection. Healthcare workers should also be vaccinated against the condition to strengthen prevention.

4. Providing timely and affordable treatment:

This is particularly important for those with limited financial resources. Integrating hepatitis treatment into public healthcare systems, subsidising treatment costs, and providing affordable medication for individuals who get diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B and C infections are some ways to tackle the problem. Thanks to advancements in medical treatments, timely diagnosis and treatment can help manage and cure hepatitis B and C. Therefore, offering timely and affordable treatment can play an essential role in reducing mortality rates. Also, having a health insurance can help you cover the treatment costs depending on your policy clauses in case you need prolonged hospitalisation for treatment.

Conclusion

Although a life-threatening condition, viral hepatitis can be treated if the infection is detected in time. Therefore, it is vital to educate yourself and others on how can we prevent hepatitis and take necessary precautions to stay safe from the condition. According to the World Health Organisation, early testing, diagnoses, and timely medical attention can help reduce mortality rates significantly. Moreover, it is important to vaccinate children and adults against the condition to prevent new infections.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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