Hepatitis is a global health threat
Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E are a group of viral diseases that affect millions of people worldwide and are the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Due to hepatitis, there are an estimated 4,000 deaths every day, and more than 200 million people are already chronically infected with hepatitis. Misinformation about this disease is a global problem, as 95% of people infected with hepatitis do not know they are infected, and many others do not know how to prevent it. The main health and humanitarian associations are raising their voices today, on World Hepatitis Day, to promote information on this disease and to work with administrations and social organizations for a better prevention system and access to treatment, as less than 1% of hepatitis patients have regular access to the treatment they need.
Global eradication of hepatitis by 2030
This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) has initiated for the first time a Global Viral Hepatitis Eradication Strategy, aiming to end hepatitis as a global public health threat by 2030. The NOhep movement aims to unite all individuals and communities who want to participate in the goal, and encourage them to register on the platform and spread the word to their loved ones or through social media. The WHO’s initial goal with this movement is to reach 300 million people by 2030. The NOhep platform seeks to unite all people who want to collaborate in the dissemination of information on hepatitis to prevent further contagion, as well as to put pressure on governments and international administrations to promote the necessary actions to end the disease and provide health support to all those affected. In short, the aim is to save more than seven million lives by 2030.
How to prevent hepatitis
The fundamental action to end hepatitis as a threat is prevention to avoid new infections and therefore new contagions. The different hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D and E) vary according to their route of infection and prevention:
Prevention of Hepatitis A Hepatitis A is spread by ingesting spoiled food or water contaminated by the feces of an infected person or by sewage. There is a vaccine for Hepatitis A, and it can also be prevented by proper food hygiene and avoiding drinking water from dangerous sources.
Prevention of Hepatitis B This hepatitis virus is the most dangerous as it is the one with the highest number of infections. Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with the blood of an affected person, as well as other body fluids such as saliva, semen or vaginal fluids. It can also be transmitted from mother to child during childbirth. To prevent Hepatitis B there is a vaccine, which can protect for life for this disease, but if you have not been vaccinated it is important to avoid infection by using condoms in sexual intercourse and always avoiding direct contact with other people’s blood, not sharing syringes, razors, scissors or any element of this type. It is also recommended to avoid getting tattoos or piercings in unlicensed studios.
Prevention of Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is transmitted mainly through contact with blood, as well as from mother to child during childbirth. As there is no vaccine against Hepatitis C, prevention of risk agents is especially important, do not share syringes, razors, toothbrushes or scissors with affected persons. In all prevention measures it should be taken into account that most infected people are unaware that they are infected, therefore it is necessary to maximize prevention measures with as many people as possible.
Prevention of Hepatitis D Hepatitis D is spread by contact with the blood of a person infected with the disease. The particularity of Hepatitis D is that it only affects people infected with Hepatitis B, so by preventing the Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis D can also be avoided.
Prevention of Hepatitis E Hepatitis E, like Hepatitis A, is spread by ingesting food or water contaminated by the feces of an infected person, or by sewage. There is a vaccine to prevent Hepatitis E, but it is not available worldwide. The best way to prevent this virus is to maintain proper food hygiene and avoid drinking water from potentially dangerous sources.