Hepatitis B&C has long been on the most difficult conundrums for millions, even billions of people around the globe. World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that there are 354 million people worldwide suffer from hepatitis B or C. Although hepatitis B&C entails wide spreading, bringing chronic and even fatal effects, there are many people who still have a blank image of the disease.
As most prejudice is rooted in ignorance and fear, World Hepatitis Day, placed every year on 28th July, aims to raise awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis and attempt to make fundamental changes. This year, the theme lies in “WE’RE NOT WAITING”, writing 7 callings for different groups to fight against the deadly diseases. And to join the battle, this blog will give you some hints.
Basic Information About Hepatitis
Simply put, hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver. The liver manipulates chemical levels in the blood and excretes bile to remove byproducts and wastes from the liver. Therefore, things like abuse of alcohol, contaminated food and drink, and prolonged prescription will bring a huge burden to the liver, which may lead to hepatitis. Currently, hepatitis contains 5 types, Hepatitis A virus (HAV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Hepatitis D virus (HDV), and Hepatitis E virus (HEV). All of them can cause chronic and severe liver inflammation but are different in their transmission modes.
HAV and HEV are mostly resulted from the consumption of contaminated water or food, making them havoc in areas with poor sanitation. HDV is only accompanied by HBV.
Now it comes to hepatitis B&C. In 2019, an estimated 296 million people lived with chronic HBV, and the number is surging — about 1.5 million new cases are generated per year. Statistically, the transmission modes of HBV conclude with mother-to-child transmission, contaminated blood contact, and unsafe injection. The symptoms of HBV include:
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Pain in the abdomen
HCV shares the same transmission mode as HBV, highlighting exposure to contaminated blood through unsafe injection, blood transfusions, and risky sex behaviour. About 58 million people are suffered from chronic HCV, with 1.5 million new infections occurring each year. The early signs of hep C are:
- Pain in the right upper abdomen
- Abdominal swelling due to fluid (ascites)
- Clay-colored or pale stools
- Dark urine
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Itching
- Jaundice
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and Vomiting
Hepatitis B&C can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis, more severely, leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, Deaths that have taken approximately 372 thousand lives in 2019.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatitis B&C
“People living with viral hepatitis unaware can’t wait for testing” tops the 7 callings to change. So testing is always the first step for early and effective treatment, constraining the spreading zone. Here introduces the diagnosis and treatment for hepatitis B&C.
Currently, laboratory confirmation is the only way to differentiate hepatitis B from other viral agents that cause hepatitis and distinguish acute and chronic infections. The commonly known HBV DNA PCR test is for one with documented HBV infection, not for HBV diagnosis. It is for predicting a patient’s response to interferon, which is important to make accurate and prompt adjustments to treatment. There is no effective and specific treatment for HBV, but certain medications can be applied. Besides, vaccines are available to prevent Hep B.
HBV DNA PCR test kits provided by Sansure are an in vitro nucleic acid amplification test for quantifying human HBV DNA in human serum. The test kits adopt advanced magnetic beads technology, ensuring high sensitivity (5 IU/ml).
HCV has a long incubation period, during which it is nearly asymptomatic. Under the difficult circumstances, its diagnosis contains two steps:
- Serological test for the sign of anti-HCV antibodies, determining whether the individual has been infected.
- After testing positive, people should have an HCV RNA test to confirm whether treatment is needed.
The second step should be addressed since there is a high possibility (about 30%) that people who tested positive in the serological test might have removed the infection depending on their own immune system without treatment. Although no treatment is needed in these cases, the antibodies are left in the body, leading to positive results. HCV RNA tests clarify the situation, ensuring treatment is applied to the right cases. Therapy for HCV includes medications, sofosbuvir and daclatasvir, and lifestyle changes.
Sansure also provides HCV RNA test kits for laboratory diagnosis. The test kits are also equipped with the advanced extraction, increasing the diagnosis efficiency and accuracy.
The battle against hepatitis requires an increasingly developed medical diagnosis and treatment that can be distributed evenly. But individual contributions are considerable. If you are among the targeted groups or worried about it, please follow the WHO guideline and consult your doctors. Early diagnosis brings early treatment. We, everyone in the world community, are not waiting.