“HEPATITIS IS ONE OF THE MAJOR HEALTH PROBLEMS OF OUR AGE “
Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital Infectious Diseases Specialist Hakan Evren MD. said that viral hepatitis is one of the major health problems of our age and therefore in order to raise awareness, 28th of July, the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg who discovered the hepatitis B virus in 1967, has been observed as World Hepatitis Day.
Infectious Diseases Specialist Hakan Evren MD explained that hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver tissue and there are 5 different hepatitis viruses ( A, B, C, D, E ) which were named alphabetically, in the order that they were discovered. Hakan Evren MD. stated that about 325 million people are living with this disease and annually hepatitis kills 1,34 million people, also added that if not detected at an early stage Hepatitis B and C may become chronic and cause cirrhosis and liver cancer.
“HOW DOES HEPATITIS SPREAD AND HOW CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVES “
Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital Infectious Diseases Specialist Hakan Evren MD. gave the following information about the types of Hepatitis and prevention techniques: “ Even if Hepatitis A is the most common type it doesn’t become chronic. It can be transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food. Children with hepatitis A usually have milder symptoms than adults in which it is more clinically severe and can lead to death. Hepatitis A vaccine provides protection against the disease. Hepatitis E is transmitted via fecal-oral route, also it is found in both wild and domestic animals and can cause acute infection. It is more common in adults than in children and in pregnant women it is more likely to develop severe hepatitis disease. Hepatitis B, C and D which can cause chronic liver disease are the most important types of Hepatitis virus. 90% of patients with Hepatitis B and 80% of patients with hepatitis C are not aware of their status. Hepatitis B, C and D are transmitted through blood, blood products, unprotected sexual contact, shared injection devices or non sterile tattooing, acupuncture or ear piercing equipments. A baby can be infected during birth if the mother has hepatitis C infection. “
“A SIMPLE SCREENING TEST IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY”
Hakan Evren MD. stated that the World Health Organization aims to eradicate the disease by 2030 and it can be achieved with the help of new treatment and vaccination techniques. Infectious Diseases Specialist Hakan Evren MD. said that “this would prevent 36 million people having hepatitis infection and 10 million people dying from this disease” and ended his statement by adding that: “ According to annual statistics Hepatitis B and C kills more people than tuberculosis, malaria and AIDS. Two out of three liver cancer deaths are caused by hepatitis B or C. 48% of all countries do not implement neonatal immunization program which is the most cost-effective strategy. Every individual has a responsibility to achieve this goal. A simple screening test is the most effective way.”