World Hepatitis Day: What is hepatitis and ways to fight the condition

The photo is for representational purpose only

Every year on July 28, World Hepatitis Day is observed in honour of the birth anniversary of Baruch Blumberg. He discovered the Hepatitis B virus and even won a Nobel Prize for the same. This year, the theme for the day is ‘Hepatitis Can't Wait', indicating that people living with hepatitis cannot wait for testing and treatment. Experts believe even the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic should not be taking the focus off the condition as one person dies every 30 seconds from related illnesses, as per data available on the World Health Organization website.

In order to understand the condition and the precautions that can be taken to prevent it, Mid-day.com spoke to Dr. Samir Shah, head of department for hepatology at Global Hospitals in Parel. Shah is also the founder trustee and general secretary of the National Liver Foundation based in Mumbai.

Dr. Samir Shah

What is hepatitis? What are the different hepatitis viruses?

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. When viruses are the cause of the inflammation then it is called viral hepatitis.

Hepatitis viruses are named A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis A and E are due to consumption of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C and D occur due to the virus entering the body through person-to-person contact or by contaminated needles, surgical instruments, razors or blood and blood products.

What are the signs and symptoms of acute viral hepatitis?

Acute viral hepatitis symptoms usually mean nausea, loss of appetite, fever, weakness, vomiting and jaundice. However, many times it may be silent in the person and the person may not exhibit any major complaints.

What preventive measures can be taken to avoid it?

Hepatitis A and E can be prevented by ensuring clean food and water intake. Hepatitis B and C require prevention of exposure by ensuring universal precautions among people and during surgery or blood transfusions. There is vaccination against Hepatitis A and B but not against C. Hepatitis D can be prevented by Hepatitis B vaccination as Hepatitis D requires Hepatitis B for its transmission.

What are the treatment options available right now?

There is antiviral treatment available now and Hepatitis B can be controlled effectively with new antivirals like Tenofovir, TAF, and Entecavir.

Hepatitis C can be cured with a combination of several new antiviral agents. They are all available in our country for regular use.

Hepatitis A and E do not need any specific antiviral treatment routinely as the body is able to effectively clear the virus with its own immune system.

Are people in India aware enough about this condition? What more can be done to increase awareness?

Awareness about viral hepatitis is lacking. All children should be vaccinated with the Hepatitis B vaccine. Anybody who has got hepatitis should be properly evaluated as it can be treated effectively.

You are the founder of National Liver Foundation. What was your idea behind setting up the foundation?

National Liver Foundation (NLF) was started with the aim of improving awareness about the diseases of the liver and to support the patients with liver diseases as well as their families.

What are some of the medical challenges you face while treating hepatitis?

It was difficult to treat Hepatitis B and C in the past, as effective treatment was not available, not only in India but also in the rest of the world.

We are fortunate that effective Indian generic medicines are now available to control Hepatitis B and cure Hepatitis C.

In rare cases, hepatitis can cause Acute Liver Failure (ALF) where the patient would require immediate hospitalisation and if the situation is not improving, a liver transplantation may have to be considered.

What are some of the common myths you would like to bust about hepatitis?

Jaundice is commonly caused because of acute viral Hepatitis A and E. Common myths like avoiding yellow colour foods, putting wax in the ears, or drops in the nose etc are not required in jaundice caused by viral A or E hepatitis. The body's immune system can fight out the virus without requiring the above measures.

A proper evaluation is required as not all jaundice recovers spontaneously. Some may be because of a deeper problem like cancer in the liver and others may be due to certain medications or diseases which may need to be identified and treated appropriately.

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