Hepatitis Can Spread Through Daily Negligence; Prevention and Treatment Discussed
Hepatitis, a serious disease, can be contracted through simple daily oversights, according to Professor Md. Golam Azam, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Society of Hepatology and Head of the Department of Liver and Gastroenterology at Bardem General Hospital. He explained that Hepatitis B, C, and D can spread through infected blood and bodily fluids, while Hepatitis A and E are transmitted via contaminated food and water. Hepatitis B infections in children under five, often transmitted from mother to child at birth or through open wounds, are widespread. Unsafe injections, medical practices, and improperly screened blood transfusions are common causes of Hepatitis B and C. Sharing needles among intravenous drug users also facilitates transmission.
Beauty salons and parlors can also be sources of infection if instruments like scissors and razors are not properly sterilized or are shared, especially if there are skin lesions. Professor Azam stressed the importance of using disposable instruments. He also recommended Hepatitis B testing for everyone, especially those unvaccinated, and vaccination if the test is negative. While Hepatitis C has no preventive vaccine, testing is crucial before blood transfusions, organ donations, and before starting kidney dialysis. Complications of viral hepatitis include acute liver inflammation, and chronic infections, particularly in children under five with Hepatitis B, can lead to liver cirrhosis and cancer. Globally, over a million premature deaths annually are attributed to hepatitis, though it is preventable and treatable. Hepatitis B and C account for over 95% of these deaths.
Effective treatments exist, with a highly effective Hepatitis B vaccine available since the 1990s and antiviral treatments for Hepatitis C offering a 95% cure rate since 2015. World Hepatitis Day, observed on July 28th, commemorates Professor Samuel Blumberg, the discoverer of Hepatitis B and its vaccine. Despite global efforts, only a small percentage of individuals with chronic Hepatitis B (estimated 240 million worldwide in 2024) and Hepatitis C (estimated 68 million eligible for treatment since 2015) receive treatment. The most effective long-term strategy to reduce hepatitis mortality by 2030 involves preventing new infections, including widespread antiviral prophylaxis for pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B.
The information highlights significant public health challenges posed by viral hepatitis, emphasizing preventable transmission routes and the availability of effective treatments and vaccines. The disparity between the number of individuals eligible for treatment and those actually receiving it points to systemic issues in healthcare access and resource allocation globally. Focusing on prevention, particularly mother-to-child transmission and safe medical practices, is critical for achieving long-term reduction targets. The analysis suggests that while medical advancements offer hope, broader public health strategies are needed to address the scale of the problem, especially in resource-limited settings. Future efforts should consider how to scale up existing interventions and improve diagnostic and treatment accessibility to mitigate the significant mortality and morbidity associated with these infections.
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