World Hepatitis Day 2022: Here are some prevention tips if you are diagnosed with Hepatitis

Highlights:

Causes of the disease
Common Symptoms
Causes of Hepatitis
World Hepatitis Day: What should all patients do?

July 28 is celebrated as World Hepatitis Day. Viral hepatitis, be it hepatitis A, B, or C, is a group of diseases that affect the liver. The organ is responsible for breaking down fats, recycling blood cells, and detoxifying the blood.

Today, we are celebrating World Hepatitis Day. It is celebrated every year on July 28 to make people aware of its symptoms, causes, and treatment. Here are a few important facts about the disease that everyone should know.

#World Hepatitis Day: Causes of the disease

According to the WHO, liver diseases are the 10th most common cause of death in India. A report by the Indian Society for Clinical Research says that Hepatitis C, contagious infection of the liver, affects about 12 million people all across India. It becomes difficult to detect because there may be no symptoms at all, or people may get confused with the flu.

Common Symptoms:

1. Fatigue

2. Mild Fever

3. Muscle Pain

4. Loss of Appetite

5. Light-coloured stool

6. Nausea and Vomiting

Not seeking treatment at the right time can lead to liver cirrhosis and eventually liver cancer.

Causes

Hepatitis A is a viral disease that can be transmitted orally. One can get infected by consuming contaminated water/food or through direct contact with a patient, but you can recover from it without lasting damage. Hepatitis B travels through the blood and body fluids, while C gets transmitted through injections. Notably, there are vaccines available for all of them.

Hepatitis can cause infertility in males!

According to the World Health Organization, there are 400 million people all across the world who are living with hepatitis B or C.

‘One of the lesser-known effects of hepatitis is that it causes infertility in males’ said Dr. Kaberi Banerjee, IVF and Infertility Specialist, Advanced Gynaecology and Fertility Centre, New Delhi, on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day.

To create awareness among couples, Dr Banerjee further added, “I would like to emphasise that testing for HBsAg and HCV should be offered to all infertile couples seeking fertility therapy to reduce the potential risk of transmission to an uninfected partner, baby, staff members, and disease-free gametes and embryos stored in the same laboratory.”

Also Read: ‘Ignore Game’: How To Make Him Passionately Fall For You?

So, don’t take any risks and get yourself tested today to enjoy your parenthood!

World Hepatitis Day: What should all patients do?

Since the theme for this year’s Hepatitis Day is “I can’t wait,” let’s not wait to list ways to prevent viral hepatitis:

1. Get yourself vaccinated – There are vaccines to protect you against Hepatitis A and B. Get them administered.

2. Stay away from people already infected with Hepatitis –The blood of an infected person and exposure to contaminated food and water are the primary sources of this disease. Stay as far away from them.

3. Practice Safe Sex- Because this disease is transmitted through sexual contact, avoid sexual contact with someone who is already infected with the virus.

4. Avoid tap water – Use bottled water and hand sanitiser instead, especially when travelling.

5. Avoid toxic substances like alcohol and drugs- They certainly damage your liver and can lead to hepatitis.

6. Should aim for weight loss- For patients with hepatitis, it is said any weight gain can also lead to a build-up of fat in the liver which can cause cirrhosis, so patients should aim for weight loss.

Hepatitis is one of the deadliest diseases that can affect you at any age. So, don’t take chances.