The World Hepatitis Day, 28 July 2016, presents an opportunity to step up national and international efforts on Hepatitis and urge partners and Member States to support the roll-out of the first Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis for 2016–2021, which was approved during the 69th World Health Assembly in May 2016.
The new strategy introduces the first-ever global targets for Viral Hepatitis. These include a 30% reduction in new cases of Hepatitis B and C, and a 10% reduction in mortality by 2020.
Key approaches will be to expand on vaccination programmes for Hepatitis B; focus on preventing mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B; improve injection, blood and surgical safety; “harm reduction” services for people who inject drugs; and increase access to diagnosis and treatment for Hepatitis B and C.
THE THEME FOR 2016 IS KNOW HEPATITIS, ACT NOW
On World Hepatitis Day 2016, World Health Organization will call on policy-makers, health workers and the public to “Know Hepatitis, Act Now”. The Organization urges them to inform themselves about the infection, take positive action to know their status by getting tested, and finally seek treatment to reduce needless deaths from this preventable and treatable infection. Activities will take place around the world to improve public knowledge of the risk of Hepatitis, and enhance access to Hepatitis testing and treatment services.
Approximately 500 million people worldwide are living with either Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C. If left untreated and unmanaged, Hepatitis B or C can lead to advanced liver scarring (cirrhosis) and other complications, including liver cancer or liver failure. While many people worry more about contracting AIDS than Hepatitis, the reality is that every year 1.5 million people worldwide die from either Hepatitis B or C faster than they would from HIV/AIDS.
Hepatitis groups, patients and advocates worldwide take part in events on 28 July to mark the occasion. Notably in 2012, a Guinness World Record was created when 12,588 people from 20 countries did the Three Wise Monkeys actions on World Hepatitis Day to signify the willful ignorance of the disease.
2016 is a pivotal year for Viral Hepatitis. At the World Health Assembly in May, WHO Member States are set to adopt the first ever Elimination Strategy for Viral Hepatitis, with ambitious targets and a goal to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. This will be the first time national governments sign up and commit to the goal of eliminating Viral Hepatitis.
To mark this historic moment and to leverage this political commitment, we are using the slogan of elimination for World Hepatitis Day 2016, which can be easily adapted for local use; to achieve elimination, greater awareness, increased diagnosis and key interventions including universal vaccination, blood and injection safety, harm reduction and treatment are all needed. This means every activity that addresses Viral Hepatitis is a step towards elimination. In other words, no matter what your plans are to mark World Hepatitis Day, be it a rally or press briefing or screening events, they can all come under the slogan of elimination.
To elevate the slogan of elimination of No Hepatitis, a global elimination movement, will be launched to bring people together and provide a platform for people to speak out, be engaged and take action to ensure global commitments are met and viral hepatitis is eliminated by 2030.
In order to achieve the No Hepatitis objective of reaching 300 million by 2030, we need your help. Whether you do something as large as launching No Hepatitis on World Hepatitis Day in your country or as simple as signing up to the movement, every action has an impact. Join us and be part of making the elimination of viral hepatitis our next greatest achievement.
KEY MESSAGES OF THE WORLD HEPATITIS DAY 2016
Viral Hepatitis – a group of infectious diseases known as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E – affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, causing acute and chronic liver disease and killing close to 1.4 million people every year, mostly from Hepatitis B and C. It is estimated that only 5% of people with chronic Hepatitis know of their infection, and less that 1% have access to treatment.
Viral Hepatitis affects 400 million people globally and, given the size of the epidemic, anyone and everyone can be at risk.
An estimated 95% of people with hepatitis are unaware of their infection. Hepatitis tests are complex and can be costly, with poor laboratory capacity in many countries.
But WHO’s forthcoming hepatitis testing guidelines will give countries advise on simpler testing strategies that will enable them to scale up hepatitis testing services.
Globally, lack of awareness, and poor access to Hepatitis treatment services mean that most people who need treatment do not receive it.
Over 90% of people with Hepatitis C can be completely cured of the virus within 3–6 months.
Appropriate treatment of Hepatitis B and C can prevent the development of the major life-threatening complications of chronic liver disease: cirrhosis and liver cancer.
WHO advises that by scaling up treatment, 7 million lives can be saved between 2015 and 2030, with communities benefiting from economic gains.
HEPATITIS AND THE LIVER
The liver is the largest metabolic gland in the human body. It weighs approximately 3 lb (1.36 kg). It is reddish brown in colour and is divided into four lobes of different sizes and lengths. It is also the largest internal organ (the largest organ is the skin). It is below the diaphragm on the right in the thoracic region of the abdomen. Blood reaches the liver through the hepatic artery and the portal vein. The portal vein carries blood containing digested food from the small intestine, while the hepatic artery carries oxygen-rich blood from the aorta.
The liver is made up of thousands of lobules, each lobule consists of many hepatic cells - Hepatic cells are the basic metabolic cells of the liver.
The Liver has a wide range of functions, including:
Detoxification (filters harmful substances form the blood, such as alcohol)
Stores vitamins A, D, K and B12 (also stores minerals)
Protein synthesis (makes certain amino acids - the building blocks of proteins)
The production of bio-chemicals needed for digestion, such as bile
Maintains proper levels of glucose in the blood
Produces 80% of your body’s cholesterol (cholesterol is vital)
The storage glycogen (also converts glucose to glycogen)
Decomposing red blood cells
Synthesizing plasma protein
The production of hormones
Produces urea (the main substance of urine).
HEPATITIS
Hepatitis is the acute inflammation of the liver as a result of virus infection. 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. It usually affects comparatively young people, while obstructive jaundice is more commonly in the middle aged and the elderly.
There are five main hepatitis virus, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. These five types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluids. Common modes of transmission for these viruses include receipt of contaminated blood or blood products, invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment and for Hepatitis B transmission from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, and also by sexual contact.
The incubation period is variable from two to six weeks as a rule. Acute infection may occur with limited or no symptoms, or may include symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, clay coloured stools, low grade fever, lack of appetite, itching, weight loss and headache
HEPATITIS VIRUS:
Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) is present in the faeces of infected persons and is most often transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food. Certain sex practices can also spread HAV. Infections are in many cases mild, with most people making a full recovery and remaining immune from further HAV infections. However, HAV infections can also be severe and life threatening. Most people in areas of the world with poor sanitation have been infected with this virus. Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent HAV.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is transmitted through exposure to infective blood, semen, and other body fluids. HBV can be transmitted from infected mothers to infants at the time of birth or from family member to infant in early childhood. Transmission may also occur through transfusions of HBV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use. HBV also poses a risk to healthcare workers who sustain accidental needle stick injuries while caring for infected-HBV patients. Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent HBV.
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This may happen through transfusions of HCV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common. There is no vaccine for HCV.
Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) infections occur only in those who are infected with HBV. The dual infection of HDV and HBV can result in a more serious disease and worse outcome. Hepatitis B vaccines provide protection from HDV infection.
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is mostly transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food. HEV is a common cause of Hepatitis outbreaks in developing parts of the world and is increasingly recognized as an important cause of disease in developed, countries. Safe and effective vaccines to prevent HEV infection have been developed but are not widely available.
PREVENTING HEPATITIS:
The list of prevention tips of Hepatitis have been splited into the individual variation types of Hepatitis.
How to Prevent Hepatitis A
Wash your hands with soap after going to the toilet
Only consume food that has just been cooked
Only drink commercially bottled water, or boiled water if you’re unsure of local sanitation
Only eat fruits that you can peel if you are somewhere where sanitation is unreliable
Only eat raw vegetables if you are sure they have been cleaned/disinfected thoroughly
Get a vaccine for Hepatitis A if you travel to places where Hepatitis may be endemic.
How to Prevent Hepatitis B
•Tell the partner if you are a carrier or try to find out whether he/she is a carrier
•Practice safe sex
•Only use clean syringes that have not been used by anyone else
•Do not share toothbrushes, razors, or manicure instruments
•Have a hepatitis B series of shots if you are at risk
•Only allow well sterilized skin perforating equipment (tattoo, acupuncture, etc.).
How to Prevent Hepatitis C
•If you are infected do not let others share your toothbrush, razor, manicure equipment
•If you are infected cover open wounds
•Do not share needles, toothbrushes, or manicure equipment
•If your skin is to be pierced, make sure equipment is well sterilized (tattoo, etc.)
•Go easy on the alcohol
•Do not share drug equipment.
How to Prevent Hepatitis D
•Use the same guidelines as for hepatitis B. Only a person who is infected with Hepatitis B can become infected with Hepatitis D.
How to Prevent Hepatitis E
•Do the same as you would to protect yourself from hepatitis A infection.
How to Prevent Alcoholic Hepatitis
•Go easy on the alcohol, or abstain from consuming alcohol.
How to Prevent Toxic/Drug Induced hepatitis
•Make sure you know about the lethal contents of all chemicals
•Make sure the spray is not pointing at you
•Make sure you wear protective gear if you have to.
Nigeria as a third world country does not have enough infrastructural materials, medical equipment and personnel to provide adequate medical facilities for the teaming population of the nation. Economic depression, unemployment, want of means of livelihood and general financial impecuniosity militates against the combat and prevention of hepatitis ailment.
Most of the hepatitis drugs are not manufactured in the country, and with a very high foreign exchange rate of currency, the cost price of drugs are very prohibitive. Importation of genuine hepatitis drugs is also a mirage as there are only very few pharmaceutical companies that can import and dispense genuine drugs. Exorbitant hospitals bills sequel to cost of drugs, infrastructure, wages and general economic factors vitiate the provision of therapeutics and remedies for the ailment of hepatitis. Harsh environment, lack of provision of clean and chemically treated water is a total health hazard to the populace. There are no swage facilities in the most urban towns, Refuse are dumped along the roads, inside the gutters and at the center of densely populated areas without efforts to remove them. Residents of such areas breath and inhale polluted air that contains virus which in turn causes pathogenic diseases to the people.
Manufacturing industries are located in residential and densely populated areas. Most of the machineries of these factories emit polluted smokes into the air, while chemical by-products of the companies littered streets and neighbourhood without proper channeling, as children and adults marched on such toxic waste substances moving about unconcerned. A lot of people live in very unsanitary conditions without toilet facilities at all. An improvised toilet pit in the form of buckets is made by urban and sub-urban residents which they release into the gutters and on refuse dumps at nights. Such dangerous unhygienic habit results in serious health hazards to them and others. In such unsanitary conditions, food is prepared and sold to public, confectioneries, vegetables, and fruits are hawked, to the members of the public and travellers. Unhygienic and impure drinking water is poured into cellophane, packaged as pure water, cooled and hawked to the public.
Habitual drinking of badly prepared local gin, palm wine and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages pose bigger dangers to the livers inhabitants which will result in hepatitis.
Abusive use of all sorts of drugs without competent prescriptions, and drinking of herbal concoctions without correct and proportional acid and alkaline level and non-availability of concise and proportional dosages of such medicines are another serious health hazards.
The Nation is the ultimate loser in terms of man power loses during sickness, loss of revenue in the provision of therapy and at times resultant lost of lives.
Know hepatitis, act now to eliminate hepatitis.
Friday, 29 July 2016
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