HAV transmission: Hygiene can help tackle it

Chennai: Viral hepatitis is a leading cause of death worldwide with more than 90 per cent of this burden due to the sequelae of liver infections with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Maintaining adequate sanitary and hygienic conditions can help tackle the problem associated with enterically transmitted pathogens like HAV and HEV, medicos said during World Hepatitis Week being observed from July 23 to 28.

While acute hepatitis may be triggered by some infection, certain drugs, alcohol or other immune related factors, chronic condition can be due to hepatitis virus- A/B/C/D&E. Main symptoms of hepatitis include fatigue, anorexia, abdominal pain, fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, jaundice, dark urine, and pale clay-colored stools.

“HAV is mostly spread by FECO-ORAL route due to poor sanitation, while HBV can be transmitted when a person has unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person, shares a needle with an infected person. Sharing personal items, such as a toothbrush or razor, with an infected person can also pass the disease, while an infected mother can pass the virus on to her infant when breast-feeding,” said Dr Illavrasi, medical gastroenterologist, Multi-Specialty Mehta's Hospitals.

HCV viral levels can be reduced to undetectable levels by a combination of interferon and the antiviral drugs. Type D Hepatitis can only propagate in the presence of the hepatitis B virus. HDV causes Type D Hepatitis & has no independent existence and can survive and replicate as long as HBV infection persists in the host body. HEV produces symptoms similar to hepatitis A, transmitted enterally and is more prevalent in India.

Doctors emphasize on a multipronged approach of active screening, adequate treatment, universal vaccination against HBV and educational counselling to help decrease the burden of liver diseases associated with HBV and HCV infection in India. “The incidence rate has dropped in countries where the vaccine is available, and this vaccine is 95 per cent effective against the infection," says hepatobiliary surgeon Dr Yamini Chitra.

Patients managed may avoid the complication of chronic hepatitis like cirrhosis, inflammation and liver failure. Awareness and screening is first step to eradicating this infection.