WORLD HEPATITIS DAY – JULY 28TH

World Hepatitis Day is observed each year on July 28th, the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg (1925-2011). Dr. Blumberg discovered the hepatitis B virus in 1967, and 2 years later he developed the first hepatitis vaccine. 

On this day, organizations like WHO and CDC commemorate WHD to increase awareness of viral hepatitis. Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver in the form of infectious diseases (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, and hepatitis E) which affects millions of people worldwide, causing both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) liver disease like hepatocellular cancer.

WHD is a day to celebrate progress made, meet challenges and encourage change to facilitate prevention, diagnosis and treatment. 

2021 WHD THEME – HEPATITIS CAN’T WAIT

In this year, advocates ask for immediate actions from decision makers to make hepatitis elimination a reality through political will, funding, access to treatments, testing and vaccination especially for newborn babies. Likewise, it is important to end stigma and discrimination towards people infected by hepatitis. 

On the other hand, CDC released in 2021 the Global Immunization Strategic Framework 2021-2030, a plan to attain global protection from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), like hepatitis A and hepatitis B. The program aims to prevent these diseases through strengthening immunization services, improving disease surveillance systems and responding to VPD outbreaks. 

To celebrate World Hepatitis Day, this article will bring attention to facts you need to know on Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). 

HEPATITIS B

Hepatitis B virus is a small DNA virus which attacks and injures the liver. It is the most common serious liver infection in the world. Hepatitis B infection becomes chronic, which means that it can last for more than six months. It remains in the body because the immune system can’t fight it off. If it lasts for a lifetime, it develops liver failure, cirrhosis and liver cancer.  

Infants and children are more probable to develop a chronic hepatitis B infection. While most adults with hepatitis B recover fully regardless of the severity of their symptoms. 

TRANSMISSION

The hepatitis B virus is transmitted from a person to another through blood, semen and infected bodily fluids. 

Ways of transmission

• Unprotected sex. The virus can pass if the infected person’s blood, semen or vaginal secretions enter the body of the other person. 
• Sharing of needles and syringes contaminated with infected blood.
• Accidental unsterilized needle sticks in hospitals. 
• Mother to child. A woman living with HBV can pass the virus to her baby throughout pregnancy and childbirth. 

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of HBV range from mild to severe. Regularly, they appear two weeks to four months post-infection. In some cases, usually young children may not have symptoms.

Common Symptoms:

• Fever, fatigue, muscle or joint pain
• Dark urine color
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach pain
• Mild nausea and vomiting

Serious Symptoms:

• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Yellow eyes and skin (referred to as “jaundice”)
• Bloated or swollen stomach

COMPLICATIONS

HBV infection may result in serious complications, like:

• Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), which may impair the liver’s ability to function.
• Liver cancer risk for people diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B.
• Liver failure, where the viral functions of the liver shut down and a liver transplant is necessary to survive.
• Other complications like kidney disease or inflammation of blood vessels.  

TESTING

The outer envelope of the virus is composed of a surface protein called the hepatitis B surface antigen or “HBsAg”. The HBsAg can be detected by a simple blood test and a positive test result indicates a person is infected with the hepatitis B virus.

Testing is the only way to make sure you’re infected.

PREVENTION

The hepatitis B vaccine is usually injected three or four times over six months. 

Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for:

• Newborns
• Children and adolescents not vaccinated at birth
• Health care workers, emergency workers, other people who come into contact with blood
• Anyone living with a sexually transmitted infection
• People who have multiple sexual partners
• People who share drug needles and syringes
• People with chronic liver disease
• People with end stage kidney disease

Precautions:

• Don’t engage in unprotected sex unless you are sure about your HBV status and your partner’s HBV status.
• Use a new latex or polyurethane condom during sex.
• Never share needles.
• If you get a tattoo, make sure equipment is clean and needles used are sterile. 

Writer: Sukaina El Outa

Resources:

https://www.worldhepatitisday.org/ 

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/awareness/worldhepday.htm 

https://www.hepb.org/what-is-hepatitis-b/what-is-hepb/ 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-b/symptoms-causes/syc-20366802 

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/world-hepatitis-day-2021