Hepatitis B is a Public Health Concern in India

Context

A study conducted by Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi showed that public knowledge regarding Hepatitis B is considerably deficient in India. 

Urgent Need for Expanded Hepatitis B Vaccination in India

• Disparities in Vaccine uptake: The study identified disparities in vaccination uptake influenced by gender, education levels, and the urban-rural divide.
• Importance of Expanding Vaccination efforts: These disparities highlight the importance of expanding vaccination efforts and making these initiatives available to all demographic segments, particularly those most at risk.

About Hepatitis 

• Definition: Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver.
• Duration: Hepatitis can be either acute (short-term) or chronic. 

Causes and Types of Hepatitis

• Viral hepatitis: It  is the most prevalent form. It is caused by one of several viruses, including hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.
• Alcoholic hepatitis : Alcoholic hepatitis is caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
• Toxic hepatitis : Toxic hepatitis can be caused by various poisons, chemicals, medications, and supplements.
• Autoimmune hepatitis: It is a chronic condition in which your body’s immune system assaults the liver. The reason is unknown, however genetics and environmental factors may play a role.

Types of Viral Hepatitis

• Hepatitis A: The Hepatitis A virus causes an infectious liver disease. It is acute, and most symptoms are not recognised, particularly in young people. The symptoms are vomiting, nausea, fever, severe stomach pain, jaundice, and weakness.
• Hepatitis B: It is a contagious disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus. It is transmitted through flat, exhausted wounds and contact with an infectious body’s blood, saliva, or secretions. The symptoms are stomach pain, tiredness, and jaundice.
• Hepatitis C: The Hepatitis C virus causes an infection of the liver. This can be transmitted through infected needles, at birth, through an infected person’s body fluids, or by having sex with several partners, particularly HIV-infected people.
• Hepatitis D: It is one of several serious liver illnesses caused by the Hepatitis D virus. It spreads through infected blood or wounds. It may occur in association with Hepatitis B.
• Hepatitis E: This is a waterborne disease caused by a virus. It could be spread through food, water, or tainted blood. It could be acute or persistent.

Status of Hepatitis in India

• Infected Population: The Hepatitis B virus infects 40 million people, while the Hepatitis C virus infects 6-12 million. 

• National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP): The National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) was launched in 2018, with the goal of eliminating Hepatitis C by 2030. The scheme is the largest in the world for identifying and treating hepatitis B and C.
• Hepatitis B Vaccine: Shantha Biotech, situated in Hyderabad, created the first recombinant DNA-based vaccination against Hepatitis B infection.
• COBAS 6800: Recently, an automated coronavirus testing instrument called the ‘COBAS 6800’ was introduced, which can also identify viral Hepatitis B and C, among other things.
• Universal Immunization Programme: Hepatitis B is covered in India’s UIP, which offers free vaccination against eleven vaccine-preventable diseases. 

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