#PINNED: Hepatitis types, causes, prevention and everything we need to know

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Only 1 out of 4 people in the Western Pacific, including the Philippines, is diagnosed with hepatitis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one person dies every 30 seconds due to a hepatitis-related illness.

Despite it being the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipinos should get tested to know their status and the proper treatment that could save their life.

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is a condition of the swollen or inflamed liver caused by the hepatitis virus, heavy alcohol intake, drugs or other toxins, systemic diseases, and infections.

What are the types of hepatitis?

WHO identified five types — Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, which are caused by different virus strains.

• Hepatitis A is highly contagious, and you can get it through contaminated food and drinks. It does not cause a patient to become carriers for a long time.
• Now, you are probably wondering how do you get Hepatitis B (HBV) and C? Both types are transmitted through blood and body fluids that remain in the body — creating a silent spread through direct contact with blood, unprotected sex, use of illegal drugs, and unsterilized needles.
• Hepatitis D or “delta hepatitis” can only affect a patient who is also infected with Hepatitis B. Patients with Hepatitis D are highly susceptible to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
• Hepatitis E is transmitted primarily through contaminated water and is common in East and South Asia.

World Hepatitis Day is celebrated every July 28th to recognize Dr. Baruch Blumberg, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who discovered HBV. It is an annual reminder to raise awareness of the disease and to promote proactive prevention through diagnostic testing and vaccination.

What are the signs and symptoms of Hepatitis B?

According to the Hepatology Society of the Philippines (HSP), 70% of adults develop these symptoms, 3 months after exposure to HBV:

• Fever
• Fatigue and joint pains
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Dark urine and clay-colored bowel movements
• Jaundice (yellowish pigmentation on the skin or eyes)

Is there treatment or medicine for hepatitis in the Philippines?

Doctors and health care experts recommend that the primary treatment for hepatitis are adequate nutrition, hydration, and rest.

• Not all patients need treatment but proper diagnosis by hepatologists, gastroenterologists, internists, infectious disease specialists, or pediatricians (for kids). Patients with or without symptoms need long-term monitoring to prevent further complications.
• There are available medications depending on the patient’s condition. This list of HSP doctors from Metro Manila and Davao are more than willing to help you find the appropriate treatment for your ailment.
• When a patient vomits and lacks appetite, hospitalization is a must. Signs associated with liver failures like disorientation, confusion, or coma also need immediate hospitalization for antiviral drugs or a liver transplant.

Hepatitis prevention is always better than cure

Patients infected with Hepatitis B should undergo regular check-ups.

• Consult with your doctor before taking any medicine, herbal supplements, and over-the-counter drugs.
• Avoid alcohol to prevent further liver damage.
• Manage obesity, diabetes, and cholesterol problems.
• Hepatitis A and B can be prevented through vaccines. Hepatitis B immunization is included in the “Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition Package” of the Department of Health.
• Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C but it can be prevented by avoiding contact-to-contact of blood and body fluids.

Being informed is the best defense before an illness strikes. Do not let a silent killer or a pandemic stop you from getting screened to combat hepatitis.

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Jeddah Legaspi is a communicator who loves to share the places, faces, and her learning experiences from grad school and life outside work. She is also a co-founder of ISDApp, a NASA-awarded app, and a marketing creative who uses the new media to bring valuable information to Filipinos.