Hepatitis: the present and the future

                                   Background

The world as it is today is faced with numerous challenges and while some are regional, others have taken a global stage. Hidden in between global conflicts, regional poverty, racism and environmental pollution, is a silent killer and this killer, according to recent statistics kills more people than malaria, HIV/AIDS or Tuberculosis. The fact is, on an annual basis, the killer is now rated as the 7^th biggest human exterminator globally and although much attention has not been given to it, it is none other than the subtle but dreaded viral Hepatitis disease.

Hepatitis like HIV/AIDS is a viral disease but even with millions dying annually on a global scale, it is completely bewildering how little a coverage the disease has received over the years.

All over the world, national governments, civil societies, media houses and

World health bodies continue to promote and finance enlightenment campaigns against the spread of Polio, HIV/AIDS, Cancer and malaria, but little has been said concerning Hepatitis.

Sadly, this widespread negligence and apathy towards the disease has resulted in the deaths of countless and a more worrisome scenario is the fact that most human victims do not even know they are carriers.

All in all, one basic question that must be asked is what is hepatitis?

 

Hepatitis is a medical condition that has to do with the inflammation of the liver. According to updates from the World Health Organisation (WHO); ‘The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis.’

What are the types of Hepatitis?

 

Hepatitis virus exists in 5 forms and they include; A, B, C, D and E.

·         Hepatitis A: acute liver infection that shows little or no symptoms mostly among young people and develops between two-six weeks after exposure. However when symptoms occur they include; fever, jaundice, abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea. In some rare cases, Hepatitis A leads to liver failure, especially in cases where elderly people are involved. The disease is spread by eating or drinking food or liquid contaminated by infected faeces and since it is a communicable disease, close contact with infected persons aid the spread. The good thing about hepatitis A is that once infected, the person becomes immune to the disease for the rest of his/her life. There is no cure but it goes away eventually.

·         Hepatitis B: Acute/chronic liver infection caused by Hepatitis B virus and transmitted through blood or bodily fluid contact with an infected person. There are basically no symptoms at the initial stages but when they do appear, they include; yellowing of the skin, vomiting, tiredness, abdominal pain, dark urine and nausea. 90% of persons infected below the age of 5 go on to develop chronic hepatitis that leads to cirrhosis and cancer, while 90% of adults infected with the virus make a full recovery and develop immunity for the rest of their lives. There is no cure.

·         Hepatitis C: Acute or chronic liver disease caused by Hepatitis C virus and contacted through contact with blood or bodily fluid of an infected person through sex, needles or medical equipments etc. 15%-45% of persons infected with the disease naturally clear it off within 6 months, while  55%-85% develop to  chronic stages. There is no cure.

·         Hepatitis D: is a liver disease caused by Hepatitis D virus and it is referred to as a sub-viral satellite because it only exists in the presence of Hepatitis B virus. The transmission process is in two ways; either simultaneously with Hepatitis B or super imposed by chronic Hepatitis B carrier state i.e. super-infection. Hepatitis D aids the progression from Hepatitis B infection to cirrhosis, cancer and death. It can be prevented with a shot of Hepatitis B vaccine.

·         Hepatitis E: Liver infection caused by Hepatitis E virus, transmitted through contaminated water and lasts between 4-6 weeks, after which it resolves itself. Symptoms include jaundice, anorexia, enlarged and tender liver, fever, vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain.

Hepatitis affects more than 240 million people globally and more than one million people die from the disease annually. It has become a major public health concern around the world and it is no wonder why world leaders recently converged at a conference in Glasgow, Scotland to discuss the way forward with respect to the disease.

So what does the future hold for the disease and for mankind?

 

The World Hepatitis Summit, a joint initiative by the World health Organisation (WHO) and World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), was hosted on the 3^rd of September 2015, by the Scottish government and other policy making bodies.  The three day summit was attended by public health professionals and policymakers from around the world and it was aimed at specifically drafting Strategies to achieve the following by 2030:

·           90% reduction in new cases of chronic hepatitis B and C

·           65% reduction in hepatitis B and C deaths

·           80% of treatment eligible persons with chronic hepatitis B and C infections treated

These targets seem to be overly ambitious when considering the fact that the disease has been ignored for so long, but on the part of governments and policy makers from across the world, much work, dedication and resources need to be properly channeled to defeat the menance. With this in mind, the president of the world Hepatitis Alliance, Charles Gore said; ‘We already have almost all the tools needed to eliminate viral hepatitis. What we don’t have yet is the commitment, the know-how and the funding to use these tools. This Summit is about empowering countries to take the practical steps needed at a national level; it is about how to take a vision and make it happen.’

It is about to take a vision and make it happen…… Strong statements coming from the president!

As an optimist and an avid believer of the power of dedication, I am believing and as well hoping that all goes well, so that by the year 2030, there’ll be a drastic reduction in the prevalence of viral Hepatitis.

Long live mankind.

Henry Goin