Hepatitis / Jaundice disease

The Flu
06/05/2022
HIV / AIDS
06/05/2022

Hepatitis / Jaundice disease

There are approximately 325 million hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C patients in the world, but unfortunately, of these 325 million people, approximately 300 million are unaware that they have hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Therefore, detection and treatment of patients with viral hepatitis is the key point in the fight against viral hepatitis.

According to WHO (World Health Organization) data, 2.8 million people are newly infected every year and 1.4 million people die each year due to this disease. This disease is an important health problem in our country as well as all over the world.

What is Viral Hepatitis?

It describes the inflammatory reaction that occurs in the liver when the hepatitis virus reacts in the liver.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis?

Acute (newly developed) hepatitis can vary from person to person. While some people only complain of fatigue, it can manifest itself with many symptoms in some people. These symptoms are often non-specific complaints such as jaundice (first in the eyes and then in the whole body), itching, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, muscle and joint pain, fever, pain in the right upper abdomen and dark urine color.Since the symptoms of acute hepatitis may be similar to other diseases, patients should consult an Infectious Diseases specialist for early diagnosis and treatment.

How is viral hepatitis diagnosed?

When the preliminary diagnosis of viral hepatitis is clinically suspected, the person is screened with the ELISA blood test. The person whose screening tests are positive should apply to an Infectious Diseases specialist for further examination and treatment.

How is hepatitis transmitted?

Hepatitis virus types (A, B, C, D, E) differ and are divided into two in terms of transmission.Hepatitis A and E can be transmitted through contaminated food, water or orally.Hepatitis B, C and D can be transmitted from mother to baby through blood and body fluids or during birth. For this reason, care should be taken during the transfusion of blood products, ear piercing, tattooing, dental treatment, manicure, pedicure or sexual intercourse.

What are the risk groups for hepatitis C?

In order to identify patients, hepatitis screenings should be performed in risky groups.Risk groups are;• People who have migrated or lived in the high-risk area• Current or former injecting drug and intranasal cocaine addicts• Healthcare workers who come into contact with HCV-positive blood• HIV-positive ones• Those with unexplained abnormalities in liver tests (or liver disease)• Children born to HCV-positive mothers• Those who have been on hemodialysis for a long time• Current sexual partners of HCV-positive people

What are the risk groups for hepatitis B?

In order to identify patients, hepatitis screenings should be performed in risky groups. Risk groups;• People who have migrated or lived in the high-risk area• People living in the same household with HBsAg-positive people and their sexual partners• Those wh o use intravenous drugs• Those who have multiple sexual partners or a history of sexually transmitted disease• Detainees in prison• People with chronic (long-term) high ALT and AST levels• People infected with HCV or HIV• Hemodialysis patients  What is the course of hepatitis disease? Hepatitis A and E are types of hepatitis that do not become chronic, as it is not present in the body for more than 6 months. The human immune system clears hepatitis A and E from the body in less than 6 months.However, hepatitis B, C and D types can be cleared from the body by the immune system in some people ( they do not become chronic), while in some people they can become chronic and stay in the body for more than 6 months and cause infection. If these chronic types are not treated, they prepare the ground for cirrhosis (irreversible liver destruction) and liver cancer.

Is there a vaccine for hepatitis disease? 

There are vaccines for two of the 5 types of hepatitis mentioned above. These are hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and it is recommended that everyone who has not had this disease should be vaccinated.

Is there a cure for viral hepatitis?

Only supportive treatment is available for hepatitis A and E virus. Hepatitis A and E are as important as the types of viral hepatitis (B, C and D) that can become chronic, although rare. Because they can cause fatal hepatitis, which we call fulminant (severe liver failure) hepatitis. For this reason, rest and liver support therapy are recommended in these patients. Hepatitis B virus treatment options, especially with pill treatments developed in the last 10-15 years, effective and safe treatments with one tablet a day, low side-effect profile and high resistance barrier have been developed. These treatments suppress the virus in the body, thus reducing or stopping liver damage. These treatment options used in the world are available in our country. In recent years, there have been developments that have excited the medical world and created a source of hope, especially in hepatitis C. Until 2-3 years ago, injection and pill treatment was used as hepatitis C treatment. Although this treatment had both severe side effects and long treatment times, the cure rate was around 50-60%. The duration of this treatment was 1 year, and many patients had to discontinue the treatment due to severe side effects. However, these drugs are not used today and are not recommended. Today, 98% treatment response is provided with a low side-effect profile in 3 months with a single tablet regimen. These treatments provide a cure response (excretion) and thus stop liver damage. However, some of these treatment options, which are used in the world due to their high cost, are available in our country.

Dr. Emre Y. VUDALI Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist

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