Hepatitis

• Context (TH): Indian Immunologicals (IIL) launched the country’s first indigenously developed Hepatitis A vaccine, ‘Havisure’.

Hepatitis

• Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver.
• The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to chronic hepatitis, which can lead to progressive scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) or liver cancer.
• Causes: Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis. Toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis.
• Symptoms: Acute infection may occur with limited or no symptoms or may include symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

5 Types of Hepatitis Virus

Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)

• It is the most common type of viral hepatitis.
• Causes: It is generally seen in the areas where sanitation and sewage disposal are poor. It is usually a short-term (acute) infection.
• Transmission: Commonly spread through faecal-oral route (ingestion of contaminated food and water). Certain sex practices can also spread HAV.
• Treatment: There is no specific treatment other than using medication. Vaccines are available to prevent HAV.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

• Transmission
  1. Through exposure to infective blood, semen, and other body fluids.
  2. From infected mothers to infants at the time of birth
  3. Through contaminated injections during medical procedures, & through injection drug use.
• Prevention: Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent HBV.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

• Transmission: Through exposure to infective blood during transfusions of HCV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use. Sexual transmission is also possible but is much less common.
• There is no vaccine for HCV.

Hepatitis D Virus (HDV)

• It occurs only in those who are infected with HBV.
• The dual infection of HDV and HBV can result in a more serious disease and worse outcome.
• Prevention: Hepatitis B vaccines protect from HDV infection.

Hepatitis E Virus (HEV)

• Transmission is mostly through the consumption of contaminated water or food.
• Prevention: Safe and effective vaccines to prevent HEV infection have been developed but are not widely available.