Viral hepatitis kills around 1.4 million people every year and affects hundreds of millions more who are chronically infected with the virus. Yet, the average Joe remains largely ignorant about the disease. This year, World Hepatitis Day, 28 July, will urge the world to “think again” about this disease.

Little known facts about hepatitis

    • Hepatitis annually kills as many people worldwide as HIV/Aids does
    • Hepatitis is the eight biggest killer disease in the world
    • One in twelve people worldwide live with hepatitis infection
    • World Hepatitis Day is one of just four world disease awareness days that the World Health Organization (WHO) endorses.

Viral hepatitis is a group of diseases that cause inflammation of the liver. It is better known by the names of the five main types of the disease – A, B, C, D and E. These viruses are highly contagious and, although they present with similar symptoms, each type is treated differently.

The South African population is mostly affected by hepatitis B and C, both of which is endemic to Africa.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with the blood and/or bodily fluids of infected people. It leads to chronic liver disease and infection and carries a high risk of the sufferer developing liver cirrhosis and cancer. In South Africa, all babies and young children receive vaccination against hepatitis B as part of the Childhood Vaccination Schedule. Hepatitis B can be treated, but the treatment is not successful in all cases.

Hepatitis C

Between 130 and 150 million people worldwide live with a chronic hepatitis C infection and between 350 000 and 500 000 people die from the disease every year. Hepatitis C infection can be acute or chronic and transmission is usually through unsterilised injection needles or medical equipment or through unscreened blood products. No vaccine is yet available in South Africa, but the disease can be cured with antiviral drugs.

Typical symptoms of hepatitis

The symptoms may include the following:

    • Jaundice − yellowing of the eyes and skin
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Fever
    • Dark urine
    • Abdominal pain
    • Extreme tiredness

If you experience these symptoms, you are advised to consult a doctor.

 

Sources
www.nicd.ac.za
www.parent24.com
www.who.int/hiv/topics/hepatitis/en/
www.worldhepatitisalliance.org
www.yourparenting.co.za