Bestmed Medical Scheme marketing and communications manager Denelle Morais shared her knowledge on Hepatitis mentioning that the disease is the second leading infectious cause of death globally with the number of lives lost due to viral hepatitis increasing to deaths per year.
“Despite this, hepatitis seems to be one of those illnesses that most people are aware of but know very little about.
“As an inflammatory condition of the liver, hepatitis is commonly caused by a viral infection.
“There are other causes, including autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis resulting from medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol,” she said.
Morais elaborated on the causes of hepatitis as follows:
* Toxic hepatitis: Caused by chemicals, drugs and nutritional supplements
* Alcoholic hepatitis: Caused by excessive alcohol consumption
* Autoimmune hepatitis: The immune system mistakenly attacks the liver
“Non-viral hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure, and is three times more common in women than in men,” she added.
She added that the symptoms of hepatitis vary based on whether it is viral or non-viral.
“Non-viral hepatitis symptoms can appear quickly and can include jaundice, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, itching, rash, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
“For viral hepatitis, symptoms include fatigue, flu-like symptoms, dark urine, pale stool, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and jaundice,” she elaborated.
She further highlights that half the burden of chronic hepatitis B and C infections is among people 30–54 years old, with 12% among children under 18 years of age, and men accounting for 58% of all cases.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 4.5 million premature deaths could be prevented in low-income and middle-income countries by 2030 through diagnostic tests, medicines and very importantly, vaccinations,” she said.
She said the use of vaccines is key to preventing hepatitis, and the collaboration between medical schemes and healthcare providers in promoting hepatitis vaccinations and making them accessible cannot be overstated.
In conclusion, she mentioned that other preventative measures include practicing good hygiene and food preparation habits, avoiding untreated water, and safeguarding against contact with contaminated objects or bodily fluids.
By Simphiwe Nkosi
