The World Health Organization (WHO) is focusing on hepatitis B and C by calling for prevention of the viral hepatitises on the World Hepatitis Day 2015.
The hepatitises together cause approximately 80 percent of all liver cancer deaths and kill close to 1.4 million people every year.
A vaccine against hepatitis B has been available since 1982. There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C, but research is ongoing.
Hepatitis B, caused by the hepatitis B virus, is a major global health problem, which can lead to chronic infection and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer.
During the acute infection phase of Hepatitis B, most people do not experience any symptoms. However, some people have acute illness with symptoms including yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
The incubation period for hepatitis C lasts for as long as 2 weeks to 6 months. Those who are infected may exhibit symptoms like fever, fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, grey-colored faeces, joint pain and jaundice.
WHO alerts people to the risks of contracting hepatitis from unsafe blood, unsafe injections, and sharing drug-injection equipment.
Besides, as Times of India warms, tattoo, body piercing can also put you at hepatitis risk.
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C usually occur as a result of contact with infected body fluids. Common ways of transmission for both viruses include receipt of contaminated blood or blood products, invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment. For hepatitis B, transmission happens from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, and also by sexual contact, according to information on WHO official website.
WHO recommends that all children get vaccine against hepatitis B infection. Prevention of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection depends upon reducing the risk of exposure to the virus in health-care settings and in higher risk populations, for example, people who inject drugs, and through sexual contact.
(Agencies)
