Doctors stress on hepatitis screening

July 26, 2014 02:54 am | Updated 02:54 am IST - CHENNAI:

Three doses of a vaccine can prevent hepatitis B. Yet, hepatitis remains largely ignored, leading to complications involving the liver.

The stress is on the need for better awareness among people to get tested for hepatitis viruses and receive treatment at the earliest. Ahead of World Hepatitis Day on July 28, doctors in the city have lined up several events to reach out to the public, including free screening camps.

While hepatitis B is preventable with vaccination, hepatitis C, which does not have a vaccine, can be treated effectively. Doctors said hepatitis B has a prevalence of one to three per cent in urban areas and five to seven per cent in rural areas, while the prevalence of hepatitis C is one to three per cent in the general population. Several types of viruses affect the liver, but hepatitis B and C viruses are the most dangerous, doctors added.

“Several persons are walking around with the virus. To reduce the risk of spreading, we need to identify patients. So, testing is important,” said Mohamed Rela, director, Institute of Liver Disease and Transplantation, Global Hospital and Health City.

The most common means of transmission is through blood, blood products and unsafe sex, he explained. Doctors express concern on the use of common razors and combs at salons. It also spreads from mother to child at birth.

Mohammed Ali, professor and head, department of medical gastroenterology, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, said when children get infected, they were prone to severe problems. “If not treated, it will lead to cirrhosis when they are in their 20s. It takes a longer time to manifest. Apart from getting vaccinations for polio and BCG, they should also be vaccinated against hepatitis B,” he said.

The viruses persist in the body and cause liver cancer and cirrhosis. “At least 70 per cent of hepatitis B virus cases are in Asian countries. Developed countries had started on vaccination much earlier. Tamil Nadu has included the vaccination in the routine immunisation schedule,” Joy Varghese, senior consultant, department of hepatology and liver transplantation, Global Hospital, said.

Dr. Rela, who founded National Foundation for Liver Research, said if left untreated, the cost implication was huge and patients may need a transplant or manifest with liver cancer. If one member of a family tests positive for viral hepatitis, the others should be screened, he added.

S. Vivekanandan, managing trustee of Chennai Liver Foundation, stresses the need for more awareness. “It is worrying that the number of people dying of liver diseases is high. People should get tested and vaccinated, follow proper diet and avoid alcohol,” he said. Out of 3,500 persons screened through CLF camps across the State in the last three months, five per cent tested positive for hepatitis B and under one per cent for hepatitis C, he said.

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