Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis types B and C lead to chronic
disease
in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer
but is treatable and curable if identified and treated early.
Types of Hepatitis
There are 5 main Hepatitis viruses,
referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of acute Hepatitis appear quickly. They include:
CAUSES
Hepatitis B transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids, such as HBV
infected
blood, Injection drug use, having sex with an infected partner, sharing razors with an infected person or
transmitted to baby during birth if mother is infected.
Hepatitis C is transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids,
typically
through injection drug use and sexual contact.
Reuse of injections and improper sterilization of medical devices in health care is
the major
reason for Hepatitis spread in Pakistan.
Hepatitis A Silent Killer In Pakistan:
Within Pakistan almost 19 million people are suffering from Hepatitis B or C. Each
year
brings about 400 000 new cases. The disease is called a silent killer because many patients remain
undiagnosed and untreated for many years before developing complications and dying.