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World Hepatitis Day

by Medindia Content Team on 
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Hepatitis & liver cancer

Hepatitis is a disease of the liver caused by several types of hepatitis virus. This virus causes destruction of the liver tissue and may lead to cirrhosis of the liver and further to carcinoma of the liver. It is the second-most important cancer-causing agent next to tobacco. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has the highest incidence in China, Southeast Asia, the western Pacific region, and sub-Saharan Africa. Persistent HBV infection is considered to be the essential factor in the development of HCC. The vertical infection of HBV in the perinatal period from the carrier mothers to the children and horizontal infection in the person’s early life are the important causal factors of HCC. HBV vaccination is an effective way to prevent both HBV and HCC.
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Viral hepatitis and Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs)

Hepatitis B & C virus infection occurs when blood or body fluids from an infected person enter the body of an uninfected person. Injection drug use is the major risk factor for HBV and HCV infections. It is estimated that 60% of the 30000 new cases of HCV and 17% of 73000 new cases of HBV in 2000 occurred among IDUs. The main reason for such a high incidence of hepatitis among IDUs is that treatment becomes complicated because they suffer from other conditions such as HIV, mental illness, alcoholism and above all they are marginalized and have little or no contact with the health care providers.
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Autoimmune hepatitis

Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) present on the surface of the hepatocytes (liver cells) sometimes cause a cell mediated immune response against the body’s own liver resulting in autoimmune hepatitis. Though it is very rare with an incidence of 1-2 per 1000 people, it is found to affect women more than men. The diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis requires a liver biopsy. It is treated using steroids and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs but in very rare occasions it can progress to cirrhosis of the liver.
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Hepatitis vaccine

Hepatitis A and B vaccine is recommended to all those above 18 years old. Clinical trials of the hepatitis B vaccines have shown that they are 80-95 % effective in preventing HBV infection. It is the first anti cancer vaccine as it prevents hepatocellular carcinoma. The vaccination is given in 3 doses and recent research has shown that vaccine-induced hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) levels may decline over time. Hence booster doses of vaccines are recommended among people who face a greater risk of developing the disease.
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