Hepatitis Prevention Literacy- Public Health Steering Team-Uganda (PHSTU)

Public Health Steering Team-Uganda

World hepatis Day Activity

Hepatitis Prevention Literacy

Goal: Elimination of Hepatitis

Objective: Hepatitis Prevention Literacy Coverage

2023 Theme: “We’re not waiting.”

Call: “accelerate elimination efforts of viral hepatitis now and the urgent need for testing and treatment for the real people who need it.”

Uganda is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of hepatitis globally. In the 2005 Uganda National Sero Survey, the prevalence of hepatitis B was reported at 10%. In 2018, the prevalence was reported at 4.3% (5.6% among men and 3.1% among women).19 Oct 2022. Worldwide 2 billion people are exposed to hepatitis B infection, 350 million have chronic infection, and 65 million are in sub-Saharan Africa. Uganda is highly endemic with 10% national prevalence of hepatitis B infection.

Viral hepatitis is one of the leading causes of death globally, accounting for 1.34 million deaths per year that’s as many as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, or malaria. Together, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C cause 80% of liver cancer cases in the world. Currently, 90% of people living with hepatitis B and 80% living with hepatitis C are not aware of their status. This can result in the real possibility of developing fatal liver disease at some point in their lives and in some cases, unknowingly transmitting the infection to others.

Hepatitis A

Transmission:  

The hepatitis A virus is transmitted primarily by the faecal-oral route. An uninfected person ingests food or water that has been contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. In families, this may happen through touching contaminated surfaces, through dirty hands, sharing materials such as contaminated utensils, sharing drinks and food prepared by an infected person for family members or community members who eat the food.

Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur from any sexual activity with an infected person and is not limited to feacal-oral contact. People who are sexually active are considered at risk for hepatitis A if they live with or are having sex with an infected person, or inject drugs.

Hepatitis A severity ranges from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Sometimes hepatitis A can cause liver failure and death, although this is rare and occurs more commonly in people older than 50 and people who have other liver diseases.

Who gets hepatitis A?

Anyone can get hepatitis A, certain groups of people are at higher risk, such as those who:

·       Live with or have direct contact someone who has hepatitis A.

·       Living with TB and HIV.

·       Ageing with chronic illnesses and have not been vaccinated against Hepatitis A.

·       Travel to or live in a country where Hepatitis A is common. 

·       Are family members or caregivers of a recent adoptee from countries where hepatitis A is common.

·       Are men who have sexual contact with other men.

·       Engage in sexual contact with someone infected with hepatitis A.

·       Frequently use any recreational drugs, both injection and non-injection drugs.

·       Are experiencing unstable housing or homelessness.

 

Symptoms:

Hepatitis A symptoms typically appear a few weeks after you've had the virus. But not everyone with hepatitis A develops symptoms. If you do, symptoms can include:

·       Unusual tiredness and weakness

·       Sudden nausea and vomiting and diarrhea

·       Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially on the upper right side beneath your lower ribs, which is over your liver

·       Clay- or gray-colored stool

·       Loss of appetite

·       Low-grade fever

·       Dark urine

·       Joint pain

·       Yellowing of the skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)

·       Intense itching

These symptoms may be relatively mild and go away in a few weeks. Sometimes, however, hepatitis A results in a severe illness that lasts several months.

Preventing Hepatitis A:

Practicing good hygiene, including washing hands frequently, can prevent the spread of the virus. The hepatitis A vaccine can protect against hepatitis A.

 

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Hepatitis B

Transmission:  

Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus can cause an acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure and death. 50% of patients with liver cancer are hepatitis B related. It is still the second most common of cancer-related deaths in men and the third most cause of cancer-related death among women.

Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluid infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of someone who is not infected or has not been vaccinated. People can become infected with the virus from:

·       Birth (spread from a mother who has hepatitis B to her baby during birth)

·       Sex with a partner who has hepatitis B

·       Sharing needles, syringes, or drug preparation equipment

·       Sharing items such as toothbrushes, razors, or medical equipment (like a glucose monitor) with a person who has hepatitis B

·       Direct contact with the blood or open sores of a person who has hepatitis B

·       Exposure to the blood from a person who has hepatitis B through needlesticks or other sharp instruments

You can spread hepatitis B without knowing you are infected.

Who gets hepatitis B?

Anyone can get hepatitis B, but those at greater risk are:

·       Infants born to mothers with hepatitis B

·       People who inject drugs or share needles, syringes, and other types of drug equipment

·       Sex partners of people with hepatitis B

·       Men who have sex with men

·       People who live with someone who has hepatitis B

·       Health care and public safety workers exposed to blood on the job

·       People on dialysis

 

Symptoms:

The symptoms of hepatitis B include:

·       Fever

·       Fatigue

·       Loss of appetite

·       Nausea

·       Vomiting

·       Abdominal pain

·       Dark urine

·       Clay-colored bowel movements

·       Joint pain

·       Jaundice (yellow color in the skin or the eyes)

Adults are more likely than children to develop symptoms; however, up to 50 percent of adults who have acute infection do not have any symptoms. However, most infants who become infected progress to chronic infection. 1-2% of acutely infected adults develop "fulminant" hepatitis, which can lead to liver failure or death.

Preventing Hepatitis B:

A safe and effective vaccine to prevent hepatitis B is available. It is recommended that all children, adolescents, and adults 19 – 59 years be vaccinated against hepatitis B. The hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for people age ≥ 60 years at increased risk. Persons ≥ 60 years without risk factors may also be vaccinated. A special hepatitis B immune globulin is available for people who are exposed to the virus. In the event of exposure to hepatitis B, consult a doctor or the local health department.

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Hepatitis C

Transmission:  

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation, sometimes leading to serious liver damage. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) spreads through contaminated blood.

Hepatitis C is spread only through exposure to an infected person's blood. High-risk activities include: Sharing drug use equipment. Anything involved with injecting street drugs, from syringes, to needles, to tourniquets, can have small amounts of blood on it that can transmit hepatitis C.

Who gets hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C, is spread through blood under these scenarios:

·       Live with or have direct contact someone who has hepatitis C.

·       Using sharp un sterilized cutting materials.

·       Unprotected sexual intercourse.

·       Engage in sexual contact with someone infected with hepatitis C.

·       Frequent use any recreational drugs, both injection and non-injection drugs.

·       Experiencing unstable housing or homelessness.

·       People with compromised immunity.

 

Symptoms:

Long-term infection with the hepatitis C virus is known as chronic hepatitis C. Chronic hepatitis C is usually a "silent" infection for many years, until the virus damages the liver enough to cause the signs and symptoms of liver disease.

Signs and symptoms include:

Bleeding easily

Bruising easily

Fatigue

Poor appetite

Yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

Dark-coloured urine

Itchy skin

Fluid build-up in your abdomen (ascites)

Swelling in your legs

Weight loss

Confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech (hepatic encephalopathy)

Spiderlike blood vessels on your skin (spider angiomas)

Preventing Hepatitis C:

Practicing good hygiene, including washing hands frequently, can prevent the spread of the virus. The hepatitis A vaccine can protect against hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C infection is treated with antiviral medications intended to clear the virus from your body. The goal of treatment is to have no hepatitis C virus detected in your body at least 12 weeks after you complete treatment.