World Hepatitis Day—‘‘Prevention Of Viral Hepatitis’’

Millions of people have been affected worldwide with the acute and chronic hepatitis and die in large numbers every year. The World Hepatitis Alliance first launched the World Hepatitis Day in 2008. Following on, the UN declared official recognition of this event in 2010.The purpose of the celebration is to encourage the common public for the early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of hepatitis.

Over the years, there have been several themes to mark the celebration. In 2008, the theme was “Am I Number 12’’, 2009 was also “Am I Number 12’’, 2010 was “This is hepatitis”, 2011 was “Hepatitis affects everyone, everywhere. Know it. Confront it’’, 2012 was “It’s closer than you think”, 2013 was “More must be done to stop this silent killer” 2014 was “Hepatitis: Think Again”. Today marks the world hepatitis day and this year’s theme is “Prevention of Viral Hepatitis”.

Hepatitis simply means inflammation of the liver and can be caused by different things. One of the most common causes of chronic (long-term) hepatitis is viral infection. According to the World Hepatitis Alliance, about 500 million people are currently infected with chronic hepatitis B or C and 1 in 3 people have been exposed to one or both viruses. Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. Five types of the hepatitis have been detected caused by different viruses and named as hepatitis A, B, C, D, E. A and E type are short term infection and known as acute infection however B, C and D type are long-term infection and called as chronic hepatitis.

The second group may lead to some life threatening complications including cirrhosis which means liver scarring, liver cancer or liver failure. More than 1.5 million people die every year because of this dangerous disease. Statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that 600,000 people die each year worldwide, due to acute or chronic Hepatitis B, while one out of five Ghanaians is affected by Hepatitis B.According to the global health body, Hepatitis B virus is 100 times more infectious than HIV virus. Hence poses a major risk to the entire country.

The date 28 July was chosen for World Hepatitis Day in honour of the birthday of Nobel Laureate Professor Baruch Samuel Blumberg, discoverer of the hepatitis B virus and developer of the first hepatitis B vaccine. This year, WHO and partners want to use the platform to urge policy-makers, health workers and the public to act now to prevent infection and death from hepatitis. The annual campaign, marked on 28 July, aims not only to raise awareness among the general public and infected patients, but also to urgently promote improved access to hepatitis services, particularly prevention interventions, by policymakers.

Annually, there are variety of activities during this day. These include arranging free screenings, tests, diagnosis, poster campaigns, concerts, talk shows, demonstrations, competitive activities, essay writing, flash mobs, vaccination camps, increasing awareness through social media websites, newspapers, posters distribution, diet education, art exhibition, discussion on health care topics, speech, sports and so many.

Mass crowd of the people from nearby areas get together during the celebration to become active participants of the event as well as distribute related messages of hepatitis to other community people.Through these celebration activities, people get stimulated and know in detail about the entire preventive and control measures of the hepatitis. In addition it results in a broad level of awareness worldwide which is possible due to the various events.

With regards to prevention of the various types of Hepatitis, there is a vaccination for hepatitis A. Treatment within a few weeks of exposure to the virus can also bring short term immunity. In addition the risk of exposure can be reduced by practicing good hygiene and sanitation, and avoiding drinking water that has come from a potentially unsafe source.

With hepatitis B, there is a vaccination that can prevent infection. If one have not been vaccinated, the best way of reducing chances of exposure is best to use condoms, and to avoid sharing needles or items such as toothbrushes, razors or nail scissors with an infected person. It is also wise to avoid getting tattoos or body piercings from unlicensed facilities.

The hepatitis B vaccine has an outstanding record of safety and effectiveness, and since 1982, over 1 billion doses have been used worldwide. The vaccine is 95% effective in preventing chronic infections from developing. Protection lasts for 20 years at least. However, there is no vaccination for hepatitis C.

It is therefore necessary to reduce risk of exposure, by avoiding sharing needles and other items such as toothbrushes, razors or nail scissors with an infected person. It is also wise to avoid getting tattoos or body piercings from unlicensed facilities. Hepatitis D is only found in people who are already infected with the hepatitis B virus. People not already infected with hepatitis B, should get the hepatitis B vaccination.

To reduce exposure, avoid sharing needles and other items such as toothbrushes, razors or nail scissors with an infected person. It is also wise to avoid getting tattoos or body piercings from unlicensed facilities.Currently there is a vaccine to prevent hepatitis E, but it is not widely available. You can reduce the risk of exposure by practicing good hygiene and sanitation, and avoiding drinking water that has come from a potentially unsafe source.

I urge individual in the society toacquire more insight on this issue and come on board, to raise the level of awareness on this issue by educating others. The media, both electronic and print can also be used as great tools in propagating the information. A healthy nation is essential for sustainable development.