WHO: 'It's time for action' regarding hepatitis

“It’s time for action” is this year’s theme for World Hepatitis Day, which this year happens Sunday, July 28. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that despite better tools for diagnosis and treatment their goal of eliminating hepatitis-related diseases by 2030 has stalled.

“With a person dying every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related illness, we must accelerate action on better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to save lives and improve health outcomes,” their website says.

You’ll remember that hepatitis is a general term for inflammation of the liver that can be caused by several viruses, chemicals, drugs, alcohol, certain genetic disorders or by an overactive immune system that mistakenly attacks the liver. Most often it’s caused by viruses which we’ll talk about today.

“Depending on its course, hepatitis can be acute, which flares up suddenly and then goes away, or chronic, which is a long-term condition usually producing more subtle symptoms and progressive liver damage,” Johns Hopkins Medicine’s website explains.

“There are five viruses that cause the different forms of viral hepatitis: hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis A is mostly a food-borne illness and can be spread through contaminated water and unwashed food. It is the easiest to transmit, especially in children, but is also the least likely to damage the liver and is usually mild and is completely resolved within six months. 

“Hepatitis B can be transmitted through exposure to contaminated blood, needles, syringes or bodily fluids and from mother to baby. It is a chronic disorder and, in some cases, may lead to long-term liver damage, liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver after many years of carrying the virus. 

“Hepatitis C is only transmitted through infected blood or from mother to newborn during childbirth. It too can lead to liver cancer and cirrhosis in the long term. Hepatitis D is only found in people who are also infected with hepatitis B. Hepatitis E is predominantly found in Africa, Asia and South America. 

“Certain generally safe medications can be toxic to the liver and cause hepatitis (drug-induced hepatitis) when taken in excess or in very high doses. These include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and even vitamin A.”

There are vaccinations available for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. You might want to talk to your primary care provider if you don’t know whether you or your children have been immunized. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all adults get screened for hepatitis B at least once in their lifetime. It’s a simple blood test.

Symptoms are similar for all types of viral hepatitis. They include dark urine or clay-colored stools, feeling tired, fever, joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain, throwing up, yellow skin or eyes (jaundice). Hepatitis A may cause diarrhea.

The Who’s lofty goal is to reduce new hepatitis infections by 90% and deaths by 65% between 2016 and 2030. However, a report published on April 9, 2024, said that the number of lives lost is increasing.

“This report paints a troubling picture: despite progress globally in preventing hepatitis infections, deaths are rising because far too few people with hepatitis are being diagnosed and treated,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

In the U.S. the 2023 goal was to reduce hepatitis A virus infections by 40% or more. We moved toward that annual target but didn’t quite get there. However, we did meet the goal of reducing new hepatitis B virus infections by 20%. 

“The number of new hepatitis C virus infections declined for the first time in 2022 after over a decade of consecutive annual increases,” the CDC said. “However, the number of estimated new HCV infections was 57,600, well above the annual target of 36,617. Changes in drug use practices and other prevention initiatives, such as syringe services programs and medication for opioid use disorder programs, might have contributed to this decrease.”

Anyone can get viral hepatitis, so as I always say, it’s crucial to talk to your PCP if you or a family member is showing any of the above mentioned symptoms, or if you’re planning a trip out of the country or changing bed partners.

Bonner General Health Family Practice is accepting new patients. Both Medicare and Medicaid are accepted. Call 208-265-2221 for an appointment.

Kathy Hubbard is a member of Bonner General Health Foundation Advisory Council. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.