World Hepatitis Day 2009
Are you number 12?
World Hepatitis Day support groups are seen to attend a concert by leading Bangladeshi rock band Artcell in Dhaka to raise the issue. One in every 12 people worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis B or C, but awareness is inexplicably low and the majority of those infected are unaware. The day aims to create mass awareness about the issue.
One in every 12 people worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis B or C. The prevalence is much higher than that of HIV, malaria or any cancer. But awareness is inexplicably low and the majority of those infected are unaware. Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver commonly caused by hepatitis virus B or C that may have no obvious symptoms until serious liver damage has occurred. These chronic, lifelong viral infections that can affect anyone from any walk of life. Experts pointed out that everyone must take vaccine against hepatitis B virus and should know ways to be protected from hepatitis C as there is no vaccine for it yet. They emphasised on learning about the risk factors involved in both forms of hepatitis and should talk to the physicians about being tested if they are at risk. Hepatitis B and C are two such notorious viruses and together kill approximately one million people a year. 500 million people around the world are currently infected with chronic hepatitis B or C and one in three people have been exposed to one or both viruses. The statistics are scary but very few people are concerned of it. On May 19, World Hepatitis Day will be observed with special attention to create mass awareness and gear up the existing programmes. The hepatitis B virus spreads through blood transfusions and receiving blood products without any screening; medical or dental interventions without adequate sterilisation of equipment; mother to infant during childbirth; needle sharing in case of injecting drug users; piercing by any infected instrument and also can be transmitted sexually. The hepatitis C virus is spread through direct contact with infected blood. Very rarely it may be passed on through other body fluids. Few people realise that, virtually everyone is at risk. Transmission could come from something as simple as being nicked by a barber in a salon or a beauty parlour by same instrument that has previously cut someone who is infected. Medical technologist Farhad Hossain, 40 from Dhaka has been suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, a condition which gradually damages liver irreversibly for which liver transplant is the only hope. He was pricked with a needle while working as a laboratory technologist. He knew he could be infected with hepatitis B while working but did not undergo screening for the virus. He remained undetected for so long that the damage was at the fatal limit by the time it was diagnosed. Now he is in great despair thinking he could be protected by vaccine. Because of his liver is not functioning properly, Farhad suffers from abdominal distension due to accumulation of fluid, ammonia build-up in his abdomen which affects the brain and also from blood vomiting. He lives every day with pain and has to have his midsection drained regularly or the pain becomes unbearable. He is on a variety of medications while he knew nothing can cure his illness. The only hope is to transplant damaged liver with a suitable donor's liver that is too expensive for him to afford. Moreover, it is not done in Bangladesh. Now he waits for an untimely death. Like Farhad, many people have not got vaccinated yet and are living with in great risk. A significant number of people carry the virus silently as in many instances; there are no symptoms for hepatitis, specially in case of hepatitis C which is caller silent killer also. The disease silently destroys the liver. Like any disease, the earlier it is found, the earlier it can be treated with greater the possibility of cure. Often the only outcome without treatment is eventual progression to cirrhosis, which can then lead to the need for a liver transplant or even death. There is a simple test — generally a blood test — for both hepatitis B and hepatitis C. If you are diagnosed with hepatitis B or C you will face many challenges, but it is better to confront the disease head on, know how to avoid transmitting the infection to others and consider your treatment options and self management strategies as early as possible. Hepatitis due to B or C virus is a major public health problem in Bangladesh, yet is poorly focused. Very few steps have been taken to prevent the disease and to raise mass awareness that is crucial to combat the disease. All citizens of Bangladesh should come forward and work pro-actively. It is vital that we all play our part to raise awareness of chronic hepatitis B and C along with the government and healthcare providers. E-mail: rajibssmc@gmail.com
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