Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. It is commonly the result of a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis. These include autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis that occurs as a secondary result of medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol. Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease that occurs when your body makes antibodies against your liver tissue. World Hepatitis Day takes place every year on 28 July to raise awareness and promote global action on viral hepatitis. This year’s theme, “Bringing hepatitis care closer to you”, aims to raise awareness about the need to simplify and bring hepatitis care to primary facilities, community-bases venues and locations beyond hospital sites, so that care is closer to communities and people wherever they are. The five main viral classifications of hepatitis are Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. A different virus is responsible for each type of viral hepatitis. The World Health Organization estimates that 354 million trusted source people currently live with chronic hepatitis B and C globally.
- Hepatitis A is the result of an infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This type of hepatitis is an acute, short-term disease.
- The hepatitis B virus (HBV) cause hepatitis B. This is often an ongoing, chronic condition. The centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 826,000 people are living with chronic hepatitis B in the Unites States and around 257 million people worldwide.
- Hepatitis C comes form the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is among the most common bloodborne viral infections in the United States and typically presents as a long-term condition. According to the CDC, approximately 2.4 million Americans are currently living with a chronic form od this infection. This is a rare form of hepatitis that only occurs in conjunction with hepatitis B infection.
- The hepatitis D virus (HDV) causes liver inflammation like other strains, but a person cannot contract HDV without an existing hepatitis B infection. Globally HDV affects almost 5 percent of people with chronic hepatitis B.
- Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease that results from exposure to the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is mainly found in areas with poor sanitation and typically results from ingesting faecal matter that contaminates the water supply. This is uncommon in the United States, according to the CDC. Hepatitis E is usually acute but can be particularly dangerous in pregnant women.
Excess alcohol consumption can cause liver damage and inflammation. This may be also referred to as alcoholic hepatitis. The alcohol directly injures the cells of your liver. Over time, it can cause permanent damage and lead to thickening or scarring of liver tissue and liver failure. Other toxic causes of hepatitis include misuse of medications and exposure to toxins. The information contained in this global report can guide countries and global partners on the road to elimination of viral hepatitis. Infection with HBV, HCV or HDV may present as acute hepatitis some time. However, these viruses have the potential to cause persistent infection in a subset of those infected. Such infection may be associated with ongoing liver damage, which may progress to liver cirrhosis or liver cancer and can become life-threatening. The risk of chronic infection with HBV is determined primarily by the age of acquisition of infection, being much higher when the infection occurs in infancy or early childhood and below 5% when it occurs in adults.
Kerala Academy of Pharmacy, being the finest institution of pharmaceutical studies, spreads proper awareness about hepatitis. We conduct strategic information system bases on surveillance and programme. Sustainable financing is required to enable universal health coverage, the overarching framework for health in the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. Because innovations are necessary, new diagnostics, treatments, cure and vaccines need to be developed, tested and delivered urgently to transform the hepatitis response and attain the elimination targets.
