Dr.Prabir Chatterjee
Hepatitis or inflammation of the liver is commonly known as jaundice. The urine, faeces (stool) and skin turn yellow. It is called Pilia in hindi and Manja kamal in Tamil. Actually, there are quite a few different reasons for jaundice. Two common ones are caused by different types of virus.
One group is very common in India. It is spread through water (Hepatitis A virus and Hepatitis E). Boiling water, chlorinating it are two ways to prevent this. It is spread through food and water. Water is contaminated by stool getting into the supply. So, tube wells need to be at least 25 metres from where people defaecate. In small towns there are cement lined septic tanks which should prevent faeces coming in contact with water sources. But in cities there is often an old sewage system. If this leaks and the water pipes close by have holes and low pressure, faeces may be sucked into drinking water supply. Though boiling and chlorination will kill the organism, filters will not.
The other common group of viruses causing jaundice is spread by injections, unsafe sex and unsafe blood. It is prevented by not re-using needles. It is also prevented by testing blood given for blood donation. And faithfulness to a single sexual partner should prevent it spreading too. If one partner is infected with one of these viruses, condoms would act as a barrier. Like in HIV, the mother can transmit Hepatitis B or C to an infant during childbirth. So, we give at birth a dose of Hepatitis B vaccine to a newborn baby. There are also 3 regular doses (included in the Pentavalent vaccine that the Government gives free) for children that protect them for life.
Hepatitis B can become chronic and it can also result in liver cancer in a small group of those infected- which is why prevention is so important. Hepatitis C is even more dangerous. However, there is a treatment for Hepatitis C and this is available from some higher centres among the Government Hospitals and Medical Colleges.
There are a few other causes of jaundice. Malaria, amoebiasis of the liver, other infections, gall stones in the bile duct and cancer of the liver can cause jaundice. So can cirrhosis- which is common in chronic alcoholics. There is also surgical jaundice due to a swelling blocking the bile duct.
However, we need to remember the two most important routes- dirty water spreads Hepatitis A and unsafe Blood/ Injection/sex spreads Hepatitis B. Also remember to immunize children against Hepatitis B at birth and with the Pentavalent vaccine.
Editor’s note: This year’s theme is: It’s time for action.
Over 300 million people are reported to be living with Hepatitis B&C.According to WHO, hepatitis claims 3500 lives daily.
Governments, teachers, pastors, social activists, media and medical personnel have an important role in averting this malady.