VIRAL HEPATITIS
Viral hepatitis is an infection of the liver caused by five distinct hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, and E) and is a highly widespread and global public health problem.
Viral hepatitis affects more than 400 million people globally with the highest burden in developing countries. Currently, it is estimated that 1.4 million deaths per year are due to acute infection, hepatitis related liver cancer and cirrhosis; more than HIV and tuberculosis combined. Of those deaths, the majority are attributed to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease.
- The virus is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person.
- An estimated 257 million people are living with hepatitis B virus infection (defined as hepatitis B surface antigen positive).
- In 2015, hepatitis B resulted in 887 000 deaths, mostly from complications (including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma).
- Hep B can be prevented by currently available safe and effective vaccine
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Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus: the virus can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness.
- The hepatitis C virus is a bloodborne virus and the most common modes of infection are through exposure to small quantities of blood. This may happen through injection drug use, unsafe injection practices, unsafe health care, and the transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products.
- Globally, an estimated 71 million people have chronic hepatitis C infection.
- A significant number of those who are chronically infected will develop cirrhosis or liver cancer.
- Approximately 399 000 people die each year from hepatitis C, mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Antiviral medicines can cure more than 95% of persons with hepatitis C infection, thereby reducing the risk of death from liver cancer and cirrhosis, but access to diagnosis and treatment is low.
- There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C; however research in this area is ongoing.