Hepatitis Day
Hepatitis is a most serious health disorder of an important body organ called liver. Without liver or liver with any chronic disease, one cannot imagine his/her healthy life. So, it is very necessary to eradicate the problems of liver and other body organs to live healthy live as well as making world, a disease free world. This article is a small and great message to everyone to be aware about the hepatitis.
World Hepatitis Day 2016
World hepatitis day 2016 would be celebrated by the people all over the world on 28th of July, at Thursday.
World Hepatitis Day History
World Hepatitis Day is being celebrated every year on 28th of July aiming to make aware the common people globally about hepatitis. It is the world level awareness program launched as a global public health campaign by the World Health Organization to make the world a hepatitis free world.
What Is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It may be caused
by drugs, alcohol use, or certain medical conditions. But in most cases, it's
caused by a virus. This is known as viral hepatitis, and the most common forms
are hepatitis A, B, and C.
Hepatitis Symptoms:
Sometimes there are no symptoms of hepatitis in the first
weeks after infection -- the acute phase. But when they happen, the symptoms of
types A, B, and C may include fatigue, nausea, poor appetite, belly pain, a
mild fever, or yellow skin or eyes (jaundice). When hepatitis B and C become
chronic, they may cause no symptoms for years. By the time there are any
warning signs, the liver may already be damaged.
Hepatitis
A
What Happens:
Hepatitis A is highly contagious and can spread from person
to person in many different settings. It typically causes only a mild illness,
and many people who are infected may never realize they're sick at all. The
virus almost always goes away on its own and does not cause long-term liver
damage.
How Does It Spread?
It usually spreads through food or water. Food can be
tainted when it's touched by a person with hepatitis who did not wash his hands
after using the bathroom. This transfers tiny amounts of infected stool to the
food. Raw shellfish, fruits, vegetables, and undercooked foods are common
culprits in hepatitis A outbreaks. The virus can also spread in day care centres
if employees aren't careful about washing hands after changing diapers.
Who Is at Risk?
A prime risk factor for hepatitis A is travelling to or
living in a country with high infection rates. You can check the CDC's travel
advisories to learn about recent outbreaks. Eating raw foods or drinking tap
water can raise your risk while travelling. Children who attend day care centres
also have a higher risk of getting hepatitis A.
Hepatitis
B
What Happens:
Many adults who get hepatitis B have mild symptoms for a
short time and then get better on their own. But some people are not able to
clear the virus from the body, which causes a long-term infection. Nearly 90%
of infants who get the virus will carry it for life. Over time, hepatitis B can
lead to serious problems, such as liver damage, liver failure, and liver
cancer.
How Does It Spread?
You can get it through contact with the blood or body fluids
of an infected person. In the U.S., it's most often spread through unprotected
sex. It's also possible to get hepatitis B by sharing an infected person's
needles, razors, or toothbrush. And an infected mother can pass the virus to
her baby during childbirth. Hepatitis B is not spread by hugging, sharing food,
or coughing.
Who Is at Risk?
Anyone can get hepatitis B, but people who have multiple sex
partners or inject illegal drugs have a higher risk. Other risk factors include
being a health care worker who is exposed to blood, or living with someone who
has chronic hepatitis B.
Hepatitis
C
What Happens:
About 25% of people who get hepatitis C defeat the virus
after a short-term infection. The rest will carry the virus in their body for
the long term. Chronic hepatitis C can cause very serious complications,
including liver failure and liver cancer. There are effective treatments for
the virus, though.
How Does It Spread?
It spreads through infected blood. In the U.S., sharing
needles or other items used to inject drugs is the most common cause of
infection. Getting a tattoo or body piercing with an infected needle is another
means of exposure. A mother may pass the virus to her child at birth. In rare
cases, unprotected sex spreads hepatitis C, but the risk appears small. Having
multiple sex partners, HIV, or rough sex seems to raise risk for spreading hepatitis
C.
Who Is at Risk?
People who have injected illegal drugs at any time, even one
time, many years ago, could be walking around with chronic hepatitis C. Because
there are often no symptoms, many former drug users may not realize they have
the infection. People who received a blood transfusion before 1992 also have a
higher risk. Before that year, donated blood was not screened for the hepatitis
C virus.
How Is Hepatitis
Diagnosed?
Chronic hepatitis can quietly attack the liver for years
without causing any symptoms. Unless the infection is diagnosed, monitored, and
treated, many of these people will eventually have serious liver damage.
Fortunately, blood tests can determine whether you have viral hepatitis, and if
so, which kind.
Who Should Be Tested
for Hepatitis?
Testing is important for anyone with the risk factors we've
mentioned, particularly injected drug users and people who have had multiple
sex partners. Health advocates are also urging people of Asian heritage to get
tested. Stanford University's Asian Liver Center estimates that 1 in 10 Asians
living in the U.S. has chronic hepatitis B. Many of them have probably had the
virus since birth.
What if You Test
Positive?
If a test says you have viral hepatitis, you can take steps
to protect the ones you love. For hepatitis A, wash hands frequently. For
hepatitis B and C, avoid sharing nail clippers, razors, or toothbrushes.
Hepatitis B, and sometimes hepatitis C, can be passed through sexual contact.
Make sure everyone in your household gets the hepatitis B vaccine. An important
step is to see a specialist to discuss treatment options.
Treatment
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A almost always goes away on its own, and no
medication is needed. If nausea is a problem, try eating several small meals
throughout the day instead of three large ones. Drink water, juice, or sports
drinks to stay hydrated. And avoid hard exercise until you're feeling better.
Chronic Hepatitis B
The goal of treating chronic hepatitis B is to control the
virus and keep it from damaging the liver. This begins with regular monitoring
for signs of liver disease. Antiviral medications may help, but not everyone
can take them or needs to be on medication. Be sure to discuss the risks and
benefits of antiviral therapy with your doctor.
Chronic Hepatitis C
The latest drug to be approved by the FDA is
sofosbuvir-velpatasvir (Epclusa), which treats chronic hepatitis C (genotypes
1-6) both with or without cirrhosis. It
is approved for use in combination with ribavirin. Other options include
Harvoni. It's a once-daily pill that combines Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) and
ledipasvir. It cures the disease in most people in 8-12 weeks. Other options
include taking a combination of Sovaldi, Olysio (simeprevir), interferon and/or
ribavirin. Talk with your doctor about what's right for you, based on your
medical needs and insurance coverage, since the newer hepatitis C drugs are
very expensive.
Monitoring Chronic
Hepatitis
To manage chronic hepatitis B or C, your doctor will order
regular blood tests to check how well your liver is working. Ultrasounds and CT
scans can also reveal signs of damage. If the virus is not causing any liver
problems, you may not need treatment. But it's important to have regular tests
to watch for changes. Complications are easiest to treat when found early.
Complications:
Cirrhosis
One of the most common complications of chronic hepatitis is
cirrhosis. This is a scarring of the liver that can be found with a biopsy.
Cirrhosis makes it difficult for the liver to do its job and can lead to liver
failure, a life-threatening condition. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, weight
loss, and swelling in the belly and legs. In severe cases, patients may
experience jaundice and confusion.
Complications: Liver
Cancer
Viral hepatitis is the top cause of liver cancer, so people
with chronic hepatitis B or C need monitoring even if they feel healthy. Blood
tests can detect proteins that suggest the presence of liver cancer. Ultrasounds,
CT scans, and MRIs can reveal abnormal lesions in the liver (seen here in
green). A biopsy is needed to determine if these areas are cancerous. Tumors
that are found early may be surgically removed. But most liver cancers are
difficult to treat.
Liver Transplant
The liver is a vital organ that aids in metabolism,
digestion, detoxifying, and the production of many proteins needed by the body.
If a large part of the liver is damaged beyond repair, it will no longer be
able to perform these important jobs. People cannot live without a working
liver. In this case, a liver transplant may be the best hope. This option
provides the patient with a healthy liver from a donor.
Protecting Your Liver
If you have chronic hepatitis, there are steps you can take
to keep your liver resilient. Avoid alcohol, which can cause additional liver
damage. Check with your doctor before taking any medications or supplements,
because some are tough on the liver or may not be safe in people with liver
disease. Most importantly, keep your appointments for regular monitoring. By
watching for any changes in your liver, you and your health care provider can
stay one step ahead of the virus.
Reinvigorate Liver with HALEHEP:
Trust this blog enhances your knowledge and increase trust in our Products. We will keep update you new information, new articles about Health Awareness.
