World Hepatitis Day: The Key to Prevention and Treatment

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and noninfectious agents leading to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal.

The most widely transmissible strains of the hepatitis virus are types A and B, with three other main strains C, D, and E. While they all cause liver disease, they differ in important ways including modes of transmission, severity of illness, and prevention methods.

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What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. This infection can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic). Long-term infection can place people at risk of developing conditions like liver cirrhosis – a condition in which the liver is scarred and/or permanently damaged – and liver cancer.

How can you get Hepatitis B?

• It can spread through contact with infected body fluids like blood, saliva, vaginal fluids and semen. It can also be passed from a mother to her baby.
• You can get hepatitis B from:
  • Having vaginal, anal, or oral sex without using a condom
  • Injecting drugs using shared needles
  • Being injured by a used needle
  • Having a tattoo or piercing with unsterilized equipment

What are the symptoms?

• Most people do not experience any symptoms when newly infected
• Some people have acute illness with symptoms that would last for several weeks:
  • High temperature
  • Yellowing of the skin and the eyes (jaundice)
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Gets tired easily
  • Feels sick or wants to vomiting
  • Vomiting
  • Pain in the abdomen
• If symptoms lasts for more than 6 months, it is called chronic hepatitis B

Hepatitis A is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with infectious person (most associated with faecal-oral route, i.e. oral-anal sex)

How to prevent Hepatitis B infection and spread:

• Hepatitis B can be prevented with a vaccine.
• All babies should receive the Hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible after birth followed by two or three doses of the vaccine at least 4 weeks apart.
• Booster vaccines are not usually required for people who have completed the three-dose vaccine series.
• The vaccine protects against the virus for at least 20 years and probably for life.
• To reduce the risk of getting or spreading Hepatitis B:
  • Practice safe sex by using condoms and reducing the number of sexual partners
  • Avoid sharing needles or any equipment used for injecting drugs, piercing or tattooing
  • Wash your hand thoroughly with soap and water after coming into contact with blood, body fluids or contaminated surfaces
  • Get a Hepatitis B vaccine if working in a healthcare setting

What to do next once you have any of the symptoms:

• Confirm your condition with a physician and get the care you need with Hive Health.
  • Log in to the Hive Portal
  • Book a teleconsult and describe your symptoms
  • Consult with our in-house General Practitioners to check your condition and next steps
  • Get any necessary tests recommended by your doctor
• Rest and stay hydrated
• Do not drink alcohol for now
• Do not have sex without a condom
• Do not share razors, toothbrushes or needles with others

For hepatitis A, almost everyone recovers fully from hepatitis A with a lifelong immunity. However, a very small proportion of people infected could face more serious conditions from fulminant hepatitis.

A safe and effective vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis A.